ECF is promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transport and of recreation. Cycling tourism is entirely part of ECF advocacy work. We build our expertise and legitimacy on EuroVelo, the European cycle route network. With its invitation to ‘Discover Europe by bicycle’, it is the leading platform to promote more cycling tourism in Europe and beyond. But EuroVelo is more than only cycling tourism: it can be used for daily trips, too, and promotes the concept of cycle route networks for all geographical areas (from transnational to local).
We act on cycling tourism in several areas:
- Professional expertise and knowledge sharing on cycling tourism
- Advocacy for cycling tourism in European and national policies and practices
- Promotion of cycling tourism in Europe
ECF has 25 years of experience in coordinating the transnational development of EuroVelo and a strong network of national professionals on long-distance cycle routes and cycling tourism in Europe.
Thanks to that, ECF produces its own knowledge and recommendations, shares good practices, and offers networking opportunities, for example, during the annual EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference, which is organised every year in the autumn. The EuroVelo for Professionals website offers many publications and resources on the topics of EuroVelo, cycling tourism and cycle route network management.
Advocacy for cycling tourism in European and national policies and practices
ECF advocates for cycling tourism to be included and supported by European and national tourism policies and practices. Its crucial role is to provide arguments and demonstrations of cycling tourism’s positive impact. ECF updates the EuroVelo Data Hub regularly and publishes analysis of trends and innovations.
ECF has had a Memorandum of Understanding with UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO) since 2021. It is involved in the Transition Pathway for Tourism of the European Commission and contributes to the European Tourism Manifesto as a core member. The European Declaration on Cycling, signed in 2024, includes a chapter on cycling tourism and multimodality.
Promotion of cycling tourism in Europe
ECF manages EuroVelo and its communication channels, with content about the European cycle route network and cycling tourism as a whole. The
EuroVelo website promotes the 17 EuroVelo routes and shares information on how to discover Europe by bicycle. With more than a million users a year, EuroVelo.com is the growing platform for a curious and enthusiastic community. EuroVelo’s social media presence has surpassed 100,000 followers and its monthly
newsletter is sent to more than 10,000 contacts. ECF edits other promotional materials such as the EuroVelo Overview Map and items that are part of the EuroVelo
donation system.
