Active mobility for sustainable tourism through inter-modality and greenways

• Greenways and cycle routes are a key offer to promote sustainable tourism and decarbonise transport by encouraging active mobility, especially by bike, while enjoying nature, culture and local gastronomy.

• Intermodality and quality infrastructure, services nearby, and the integration of these routes into the sustainable mobility plans are essential to harness their full potential and positive impact in transport decarbonization.

 Sustainable tourism through greenways and no-motorised routes:

Greenways are a key tool for sustainable tourism and the decarbonisation mobility. They are safe, accessible and user friendly non-motorised communication routes, mainly created over disused railway lines and using canal towpaths. There are thousands of kilometres of greenways in Europe, especially in rural areas, and they have great potential for growth. Indeed, we estimate that there are approximately 30,000 km in Europe, of which around 20,000 km from former railway lines, which would represent just 20% of all abandoned railway lines.

Greenway tourism, based on active mobility (cycling, walking, wheeling) benefits both local communities and visitors. This type of tourism has a very positive economic impact. In France, for example and regarding cycle tourism, 68 euros a day is what a tourist spends on a bicycle compared to 55 euros for other tourists, and the trend is clearly increasing; the economic impact on the long-distance route “Loire à Vélo” and the network of greenways and cycle paths in Brittany has doubled in five years (see here) . Intermodality, especially train + bicycle transport, is crucial to facilitate access to these routes.

The European Parliament has recommended the transformation of disused railway lines as greenways as part of the strategy for sustainable tourism. The European Declaration on Cycling  promotes safe, accessible and segregated infrastructure for non-motorised use, which is an essential feature of greenways, and the Brussels Declaration on the mobility of tomorrow puts the spotlight on rail and on harnessing the full potential of active mobility and cycling at European and national level.

Intermodality and quality infrastructure:

In order to fully enjoy greenways and non- motorized routes, it is necessary to have quality, safe and accessible infrastructure, with good connections to public transport, especially to the train. Railway companies must facilitate the transport of bicycles on their trains and ensure that users have clear access to information on timetables and transport conditions. It is crucial to be able to take the bike on the train without surprises and to have accessible access to the platform. (Photo1. Cyclists waiting the train in Namur, Belgium).

Intermodality with other modes of transport where the train does not arrive is also essential, e.g. by bus or boat, which represents a very attractive transport option  (Photo 2 cyclist descent from boat in Trieste, Italy)

There are specific transport services, during the holiday period, on very successful cycle routes that benefit from good accessibility by train. One example is the Alpe – Adria cycle route, which has sections of greenways and other of shared traffic, which facilitates the transport of bicycles on a widely used Austria-Italy cross-border train, which was set up thanks to a European Interreg project.

 

Captions: Family on bikes waiting for the train in Namur, Belgium, like other travelers. Cyclists with panniers just got off the boat in Trieste (Italy) start of the cross border Parenzana cycle route. Group of cyclists just getting off the train, on the platform of Tarvisio Boscoverde station (Italy), to cycle on the Alpe – Adria cycle route.  

Besides this seasonal line specifically aimed at cyclists, this cycle route is served by the usual train lines, with railway stations along the route where it is possible to easily buy a bike ticket and access the platform by lift, which is especially important when carrying luggage on long-distance routes. Furthermore a bus service allows the transport of bikes (Alpe- Adria ), from the end of the route in Grado.

Indeed, often, the well-established cycle routes are served by buses in the summer, with the possibility to carry the bike. Taxis can also complement these services. Some examples of European projects have integrated these solutions to facilitate the connection as in the awarded greenway Ybbstal Cycle Path, in Austria, with a cycle bus or taxi bus service from May to October, which allows for personalized options (photo 5) . Also launched directly on a private initiative, to offer taxis service to the growing number of visitors by bike in the Via Verde de Ojos Negros, expanding the business with new user and associating its name to the greenway.

   

Captions: Alpe – Adria Austria-Italy cross-border operating in the summer set up thanks to a European Interreg project. Bicibus serving the Alpe Adria cycle -route (captured in Aquileia, Italy). Taxi of Ybbstal Cycle Path, (Austria) implemented through an EU Leader project.

 

Bike rental & services on the route

Bike rental is also a must, with rental points located preferably near train stations, to make it easy to start the journey cycling from the station itself.  It is quite common in Belgium, and Germany, (Photo 6 Aarschot local bike rental at the train station) In addition, the luggage transfer service on long cycle routes, for those who prefer to travel light, as well as local transfer options for the cyclist to access places where public transport does not reach, are an added value. These routes through rural areas, especially those with declining populations, require adequate access and support services.

The possibility of returning the bikes at different points along the route is an added value, much appreciated by cycle tourists. This is possible thanks to the collaboration between rental companies and accommodations, and in some cases local tourist offices, as is done in the aforementioned Loire à Velo (photo Loire à Vélo 7). It is especially recommended on long-distance cycle routes, and it is common in more consolidated destinations, including cross-border routes such as the Elbe cycle route, to rent the bike in Prague and return it in Dresden, in Germany; also on the Vennbahn, it is possible to pick up the bike in Aachen (Germany) (foto 8) and return it in Trois Vierges (Luxembourg), after crossing the very attractive region of eastern Belgium.

Nearby accommodations must offer security for travelers’ bicycles and services adapted to their needs; the various cyclist welcome labels, granted to establishments that meet these conditions are a good option for accommodation or a stop to recharge your batteries or to visit. (foto 9)

 

Captions: Starting the Vennbahn greenways in Aachen, the bikes are returned to Trois Vierges (Luxembourg) after having cycled through the beautiful territory of Eastern Belgium. Bike rental in Aarschot, at the train station. Returning the bike at the tourist office in Angers, Loire à Velo stop, after renting the bike in Nantes.

Integration from mobility planning and transport network

It is essential to integrate greenways and non-motorised itineraries as part of the transport network, linking them with public transport to encourage active mobility for locals and visitors; Ireland’s Sustainable Mobility Policy is an example of integrating different modes of transport with special consideration for pedestrians, wheeling and cycling.

Ensuring that this non-motorised network meets high quality standards and avoids disconnection and danger points for cycling and walking users is essential; particularly important are continuous and safe access to cities and major cultural and natural attractions for non-motorised users. Secured routes are key to attracting new tourists and reducing the use of private vehicles. The view of cycle tourists enjoying holidays on two wheels also contributes to boosting everyday cycling at the local level.

Conclusion:

Greenways, cycle routes and non-motorised itineraries are a key offer to encourage sustainable tourism, and decarbonise transport by promoting active mobility, in particular by bike. These routes, which contribute to the economic development of the regions they pass through, particularly in rural areas, are growing significantly in Europe and have a high potential for expansion, further reinforced by the use of electric bikes, which facilitate their use by a greater number of people.

To harness their full potential and positive impact it is necessary to have a quality infrastructure, where the disused railway tracks transformed for pedestrian and cyclist use, and the canal towpaths, stand out; intermodality with public transport, in particular the train, and offering complementary services along them, in particular bike rental services, and bike-friendly accommodation where to overnight, are key to their development.

The integration of these routes as part of the transport network is essential to promote the decarbonisation of transport and encourage the development of sustainable tourism. The non-motorised network contributes to the diversification of tourism and the extension of the season, offering alternatives to avoid tourist saturation.

 

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This article is a contribution to the EC Together for EU tourism expert group, Greening Transport Task force at the “Green” sub group.  EGWA participates in this group through which it promotes the importance of active mobility, through greenways and non-motorised routes, and in particular cycle tourism. A webinar ‘Travelling light: Mainstreaming low-carbon mobility for tourism travel’ is on the agenda on 29/Jan/2025 10h- 12h, save the date!

See webinar info here: https://transition-pathways.europa.eu/events/webinar-travelling-light-mainstreaming-low-carbon-mobility-tourism-travel

 

Mercedes Muñoz Zamora
European Greenways Association, Director
3/January/2025