Cycle tourism in Italy continues to grow, recording record numbers in 2023 in terms of attendance and related activities. Not only does the desire to discover the Italian regions increase with active cycling holidaysbut the offer of services is also growing of a sector capable of acting as a driving force for local economies. A virtuous circle which FIAB, with its commitment and initiatives, promotes at a national level by acting as a bridge with Europe, bringing practices and policies of ECF, European Cyclists' Federation, and of EuroVelo.
56.8 million presences in 2023, record numbers from the Isnart-Legambiente survey
The survey numbers are encouraging to say the least “Travelling by bike 2024” made by Isnart and Legambientewhich talks about 56.8 million attendances in 2023or a growth of +4% compared to the 54 million attendances recorded in 2019a year which, as we well know, represented the peak of Italian tourism in the last decade.
It will not be surprising, therefore, that cycle tourism now represents an important part of our country's tourist turnover, with a direct economic impact estimated at over 5.5 billion euros by 2023, up 35% on 2022 and 19% on 2019 (4.6 billion). Those who go on cycle tourism spend an average of 95 euros a day on the purchase of goods and services, an amount which for foreigners rises to 104.5 euros. Relevant figures, especially if we consider that the average daily expenditure of the total number of tourists visiting our country is equal to 59.6 euros.
The most clicked cycle routes on Bicitalia.it
Also the FIAB website Bicitaliathe national cycle network where the traces of itineraries that cross Italy from north to south are available, records a growth in visits which from 2021 to today they are increased by 40%. The most clicked cycle routes (and downloaded) are the Sun cycle routethe Adriatica cycle route and the Po cycle path.
Quality of routes and services, this is how the itineraries are chosen
To photograph the rapidly evolving sector, FIAB in 2023 created with theUniversity of Insubria L'national survey «What kind of cycle tourist are you? Places, transport, safety, habits, trends, needs and expectations of those who travel by bicycle" in which it emerges that the most popular regions are those of north Italy (Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Trentino Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia, but also Tuscany). When choosing the destination, the infrastructural dimension and bicycle-friendly services are also crucial, as demonstrated by the importance given both to possibility of loading bicycles on trains and buses both at maintenance of areas outside the routes. Also interesting is the data that captures the extreme importance given to quality of cycle paths (95%) and presence of technical services along the routes (78%).
Intermodality and e-bikes, key factors for the development of cycle tourism
In this scenario, two factors are crucial for those who do cycle tourism. In fact, again from the survey “What cycle tourist are you?” it can be seen that over 70% of cycle tourists reach their travel destination by train and more than 80% consider it essential to be able to load their bikes on trains and buses even when traveling during the holiday. Another factor to pay attention to is the role of the e-bike: approximately 31% of cycle tourists he travels with an electric bicycle and as much as 22% of the 'occasional' ones he approached the experience of cycle tourism thanks to e-bikes, which are therefore crucial for a portion of the sector.
Accommodations suitable for cycle tourism: the Albergabici network
The reference portal for cycle tourism in Italy is Albergabici, the site designed by FIAB to bring together supply and demand for bike-friendly accommodation facilities. The facilities equipped to meet the needs of those traveling by bike are available on the site: a safe place to leave the vehicle overnight, tools to do basic maintenance it's a Abundant breakfast to fill up with energy for the next day.
FIAB, Italian EuroVelo Coordinator
Since 2011 FIAB has played the role of Italian Coordinator of EuroVelo. The project was born from the international organization ECF, European Cyclists' Federation, of which FIAB is part and is aimed at create a trans-European network of high-quality cycle routes that allows cycling from north to south and from east to west of Europe. Once the project is completed, the EuroVelo network will be long 90,000 km. There are currently 17 cycle routes.
FIAB is the guarantor of the application of European standards for the creation of the Italian EuroVelo itineraries, assuming a role of national reference for all those institutions with which to establish collaborative relationships to develop the EuroVelo itineraries, thus contributing to the development of urban and tourist bicycle mobility in Italy, from a European perspective.
15-16 June, the FIAB National Cycle Tourism Days are back
June 15th and 16th takes place the fourth edition of National cycle tourism days designed by FIAB in collaboration with Active Italy. One more opportunity to promote cycling tourism thanks to an online conference on the EuroVelo cycle route network and thanks to the many initiatives organized throughout Italy by volunteers from local FIAB associations. Together with the discovery of the territories, for our health (and our pleasure!) and that of the Planet!
