National EuroVelo Coordination Center – New Perspectives for the Development of Cycling Tourism in Poland

The Polish Tourism Organization will be the leader of the consortium. At a meeting organized by the Vice-President of POT, Ms. Małgorzata Wilk-Grzywna, it was decided that the Polish Tourism Organization will play the role of the consortium leader. POT will submit an application to the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) to formally obtain the status of the National EuroVelo Coordination Center. This action will enable Poland to effectively implement European cycling routes, ensuring infrastructural consistency and promoting active leisure in the country. As a result, Poland will become an integral part of international cycling routes, attracting millions of tourists from around the world.

In preparation for the project, the Cycling Mobility Coordinators Team at ZWRP and POT will work closely together. POT plans to submit the application in June during the Velo-city conference in Gdańsk (the world’s largest conference on cycling, being held in Poland for the first time), and by 2025, Poland is expected to gain this status.

Cycling Strategy – An Intersectoral Approach to Development

On the same day, a meeting was held with the Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism, Mr. Piotr Borys. The Ministry is working on a new tourism strategy and plans to create an intersectoral cycling strategy. The project is expected to be developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and other ministries, including those of climate, health, funds, education, as well as key institutions such as the State Forests, PKP, Polish Waters, and the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways. This initiative will allow for the comprehensive development of cycling infrastructure and the effective use of European funds, modeled after the best practices from other countries. The construction of EuroVelo routes will be one of the priorities of the new cycling strategy.

Why is the National EuroVelo Coordination Center so important?

EuroVelo is a European network of long-distance cycling routes that integrates diverse countries and cultures, creating a ready-made cycling tourism product with enormous promotional and economic potential. The establishment of the National EuroVelo Coordination Center in Poland will bring the following benefits:

• Visibility and Promotion: Poland will become a recognizable destination on the European cycling tourism map.
• Infrastructure Development: Accelerating the realization of cycling routes and improving their quality.
• International Cooperation: Drawing on the experiences of other countries and strengthening Poland’s position in the EuroVelo network.
• Sustainable Development: Promoting ecological forms of transport and an active lifestyle.

Poland on the European Cycling Map

Thanks to cooperation between the government, local authorities, and non-governmental organizations, Poland has a real opportunity to take a leading position in the development of cycling tourism in Central and Eastern Europe. Currently, six international EuroVelo routes pass through Poland, of which only 16% have been opened for use in the country (the European average is 66%). The leaders in building long-distance cycling routes are Małopolska and West Pomerania.