The industry with a future in cycle tourism. The conference set the tone for the 3rd Polish-German Cycle Tourism Days.

“It is a unique space for discussions about cycling tourism, exchanging experiences and learning about the latest trends and solutions – both for recreational cyclists and those who use bicycles as their everyday means of transport. The programme includes 21 hours of lectures and workshops led by 60 speakers and presentations by 56 exhibitors,” emphasised Deputy Marshal Jakub Kowalik.

Agreement with the Polish Tourist Organisation

 

One of the most important moments of the conference was the signing of an agreement between the West Pomeranian Province and the Polish Tourist Organisation. The document concerns the transfer of the application scheme for a nationwide database of bicycle routes by the PTO.

 

This is a step of great systemic importance, enabling the standardisation of data, its better integration and more effective management of information about bicycle routes in Poland. On behalf of the West Pomeranian Province, the agreement was signed by Deputy Marshal Anna Bańkowska and Deputy Marshal Jakub Kowalik, and on behalf of the Polish Tourist Organisation, by Vice-President Malgorzata Wilk-Grzywna.

Infrastructure, data and European standards

 

The conference programme was divided into three thematic blocks: development strategy, data and analysis, and inspiration and trends.

 

The section devoted to route development discussed the current state of construction of the West Pomerania cycle network and the plans of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Particular attention was paid to the European EuroVelo route network, including EuroVelo 10 and EuroVelo 13.

 

There was no shortage of topics related to quality certification, building synergy around cycle routes, activating young people and creating themed tourist products based on cultural and industrial heritage.

 

The conference confirmed that cycle tourism is not only a form of recreation, but also a fully-fledged branch of the economy, influencing regional development, the labour market, the accommodation and catering industry, and sustainable transport.

Conference programme – presentations and speakers

 

Opening session and development strategy:

 

    Construction of the West Pomerania cycle route network – current status of works – Jakub Kowalik, Deputy Marshal of the West Pomeranian Province

 

    Plans for the development of cycle routes in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania – René Müller (Department of Road Construction and Cycling in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania)

 

    The EuroVelo route network – challenges and prospects – Małgorzata Wilk-Grzywna (Vice-President of the Polish Tourist Organisation), Sylwia Skuta (Polish Tourist Organisation)

 

    Sub-strategy for Cycling Tourism in Poland – Miłosz Tatara (Polish Cycling Federation)

 

Debate: the potential of cycle tourism in the border region – Wanda Nowotarska, Marshal's Representative for Cycle Transport, Joanna Fajfer-Slosarek, Landkreis Vorpommern-Greifswald, Olivier Schneider, French Foundation for Innovation in Active Mobility (FIMA), Sylwia Skuta Polish Tourist Organisation, Tino Freißler German Cyclists' Association (ADFC), Anna Gardzińska Director of the ZROT Office; moderator: Tadeusz Mirski

 

Block: Data and analyses

 

    Facts and figures on cycle tourism in ADFC studies – Tino Freißler German Cyclists' Association (ADFC)

 

    National platform with data on bicycle traffic using France as an example – Olivier Schneider French Foundation for Innovation in Active Mobility (FIMA)

 

    Numbers that drive change: how data from bicycle counters shape cycling policy in Western Pomerania – Marcin Wójciak (WIiT Bicycle Communication Office)

 

    EuroVelo Barometer: EuroVelo 10 – Olivier Fleurier, Jan Fischer (Eco-Counter)

 

Block: Inspirations and trends

 

    Building synergy around cycle routes – Marta Kamińska (Lower Silesian Cycling Region)

 

    How to encourage young people to take up cycle tourism – Michael Maier (ADFC)

 

    Making of: cooperative creation of themed cycle routes. The example of Berlin's industrial culture cycle routes – Antje Boshold (Berliner Zentrum Industriekultur)

 

Following the trail of the old narrow-gauge railway – Teresa Furman (Semafor Association)

 

European Certification Standard: results of the EuroVelo 10 route quality survey – Wojciech Grela (WIiT Bicycle Transport Office)

 

    PZU Cycling Poland – Agnieszka Żebrowska (PZU)

 

Workshops to choose from:

 

    Good practices in cycling tourism – creating an attractive product for cyclists

    Szymon Nitka (ZnajKraj)

 

    From counter to decision: how to design a bicycle traffic measurement system

Olivier Fleurier, Jan Fischer (Eco-Counter)

 

Bicycle traffic measurements: not just counters. What data is worth collecting and for what purpose?

Olivier Schneider (French Foundation for Innovation in Active Mobility – FIMA)

 

Presentations for most of the speeches are available for download – the link can be found here: Conference presentations for download,

 

as well as a video report from the conference – the link can be found here: Video recording of the conference.

 

 

 

The Polish Tourist Organisation is the Honorary Patron of the event. 

 

National Geographic Traveler magazine is the media patron of the event.

 

The event partner is the West Pomeranian Regional Tourist Organisation. 

 

The event is co-financed by the European Union: from the project entitled ‘Cycling route around the Szczecin Lagoon’ as part of the Interreg VI A Cooperation Programme Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania / Brandenburg / Poland 2021-2027.