FIAB, Italian Federation for Environment and Cycling (link), is taking part in the Cycle Tourism Fair, showcasing its 30 years of experience in active mobility and cycle tourism. Active across the country with nearly 200 associations, FIAB promotes cycling not only as a daily means of transport in urban areas but also as a sustainable way to travel, spreading the value and beauty of a holiday on two wheels with others. In Italy, FIAB serves as the coordinator for EuroVelo—the world’s largest network of cycling routes—and is credited with designing and implementing the national Bicitalia network.
EuroVelo is the European network of cycling routes developed and coordinated by the ECF-European Cyclists’ Federation (of which FIAB is a founding member), which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Created in 1997 by a group of visionary activists (including some FIAB representatives) led by Danish cyclist Jens Erik Larsen, EuroVelo has grown to become the world’s largest network of its kind: 17 “high-quality” long-distance cycling routes connecting 42 countries and covering over 93,000 km, 56,000 of which are already “rideable.” EuroVelo’s main goal is to promote cycle tourism and active mobility across Europe, generating economic benefits for the regions and local communities along its routes.
FIAB is celebrating EuroVelo by participating in the talk “The Networks of Cycle Tourism” during the opening forum of the event on Friday, March 31. It will also present Bicitalia, the national cycling network designed by FIAB in 2000, inspired by EuroVelo.
Italy hosts three EuroVelo routes:
- Via Romea Francigena (EV-5): 3,200 km from London to Puglia, passing through Italy from Como to Brindisi—Bicitalia BI3 Route.
- Ciclovia del Sole (EV-7): 7,700 km from North Cape to Malta, entering Italy at Brenner and continuing to Sicily (completed up to Bologna and funded to Florence)—Bicitalia BI1 Route.
- Ciclovia del Mediterraneo (EV-8): Over 7,000 km from southern Spain to Cyprus, entering Italy at Ventimiglia, passing through Turin, and crossing the Po Valley towards Trieste—Bicitalia BI2 Route and the Adria/Trieste section of BI6.
The Bicitalia network comprises 20 major national routes, complemented by regional cycling routes and paths along disused railways and waterways. Free GPX tracks for over 32,000 km of cycling routes can be downloaded from the Bicitalia website.
Bicitalia, along with Italy’s EuroVelo segments and the National System of Cycle Tourism (SNCT), has been incorporated into Italy’s General Plan for Cycling Mobility, approved by the government in 2022.
At FIAB’s stand at the Cycle Tourism Fair, visitors can find information and materials on EuroVelo and Bicitalia. They can also learn about other tools and services FIAB offers to cyclists and tourism operators, such as Albergabici, a network of over 600 cyclist-friendly accommodations across Italy, including hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and more.
FIAB also organizes BiciViaggi, group cycling vacations in Italy and Europe, supported by Caliba Tour Operator. On FIAB’s Andiamoinbici website, users can explore a regularly updated calendar featuring over 2,000 cycling trips and excursions organized annually by FIAB associations throughout Italy.
Don’t miss FIAB’s National Cycle Tourism Days on June 10–11, a special opportunity to experience the joys of cycle tourism by exploring Bicitalia’s routes and participating in local cycling events.
