Cycle tourism is a vacation style that allows travelers to explore territories and connect not only with places but also with local identities and people. It is also a thriving business, stimulating and enriching the economies of destinations that invest in activities and infrastructure for active holidays. Furthermore, cycle tourism represents a rapidly growing sector that generates profits while aligning with the global need to protect the environment through sustainable practices.
Above all, cycle tourism is a passion, and the bicycle is a powerful tool for improving people’s quality of life. This passion, combined with a responsible vision of its potential, gave rise to the Clorofilla project—an Italian manufacturer of assistance and charging stations for bicycles and e-bikes.
Clorofilla’s activity is built on the principle that cycle tourism not only minimizes environmental impact but also represents an educational form of travel, enabling people to discover beauty through motion. This vision inspired the company to support initiatives that emphasize hospitality and the welcoming of bicycle travelers.
The Company Clorofilla
Clorofilla is part of Buratti Meccanica, a historic and prestigious mechanical engineering company in Romagna. The company traces its origins back to Buratti Dino & Figli, founded after World War II when Mr. Dino opened a mechanical repair workshop. Today, the company remains family-run, supported by a team of skilled technicians and programmers. Its work is grounded in precision, pragmatism, and innovation.
In 2019, after years of research and development, Buratti Meccanica presented Clorofilla’s charging stations at the Eurobike exhibition. Driven by a belief in the transformative potential of bicycles and cycling holidays, the company has since dedicated itself to creating solutions that cater to the needs of cycling enthusiasts and the hospitality sector alike.
Clorofilla’s mission is clear: to meet the needs of cyclists by solving the minor mechanical issues that may arise during their journeys. While its assistance stations are primarily designed for cyclists, the company also addresses the needs of bars, restaurants, bike hotels, and other facilities aiming to serve this growing segment of travelers.
And while it is true that assistance stations are specifically designed for the end-user – the cyclist – it is also true that Clorofilla at the same time seeks to respond to a question, sometimes not yet emerged or perhaps unexpressed, from bars, restaurants, bike hotels, and facilities that aim to provide products dedicated to that cyclist.
Developing cycling infrastructure and fostering a culture of hospitality are key to enhancing cycle tourism and making destinations more attractive. A positive experience for cyclists can generate significant benefits for local economies and contribute to the broader bicycle travel movement.
The Apennine Cycle Path and other projects
Clorofilla’s impact can already be seen along various cycle tourism routes in Italy, such as the Apennine Cycle Path. Through a partnership with Misura, the sponsor of the cycle path, funding was made available to purchase Clorofilla stations, which were customized for this specific project.
Other projects in progress involve the enhancement of the Cycle Path of the Parks of Calabria and the cycle tourism network “In Bici a Pelo d’Acqua” in Piedmont. In 2024, these cycling routes will be enriched with the installation of repair and charging stations for bicycles, marking an important step towards the realization and promotion of sustainable solutions in the cycle tourism sector.
Specifically:
- The Calabria Region will equip its 545 kilometers of cycle paths with 20 custom-designed Clorofilla Power stations.
- The Piedmont network “In Bici a Pelo d’Acqua” will install 27 Clorofilla Basic and Trail series stations along its 270 kilometers of scenic routes connecting Italy to Switzerland.
These investments demonstrate Clorofilla’s commitment to providing cutting-edge and sustainable cycling infrastructure, contributing meaningfully to the renewal and growth of the regions involved.
Accessible to all
The bike is democratic, accessible to all. Equally so should be the tools for the cyclist. This is why the designers have created an ergonomic and intuitive design that makes the charging stations easily accessible and usable. Furthermore, to minimize maintenance, wear-resistant components have been used.
What can be found on a charging station? A series of screwdrivers, Allen keys, and wrenches of the most common sizes to be able to intervene in case of need and solve small mechanical problems.
Not only should the use be “easy,” but also the availability. Communicating the presence of charging and assistance stations is fundamental so that the community of cyclists and cycle tourists are aware of the existence of the stations. A hidden or unfindable charging station is of no use.
With this consideration in mind, Clorofilla has implemented two additional services for the facilities that decide to install the charging stations. Firstly, an interactive Google map has been created, allowing users to identify the nearest charging station or view available stations in a particular area of interest. Furthermore, in collaboration with Komoot, a collection of all charging stations has been created so that those who use Komoot can find them on their route.
