For all things bikes

Cycling is always good exercise, but it also offers the chance to see landscapes that cannot be seen otherwise. EuroVelo is a great example of these cycling experiences, and a grandiose one indeed. Created by the European Cyclists' Federation, the project seeks to develop a full-fledged European cycle route network.

Thirteen long-distance routes running a total of 37,282 miles across Europe are to be developed by 2020, and more than half has already been created today. Although the network will be useful for commuters, the project aims at boosting bicycle touring while promoting sustainable travel and green tourism.

The idea sprung from the success of national cycling routes at the beginning of the 1990s in certain European countries such as in Denmark and the Netherlands. Today, 60 European cycling organizations make up the European Cyclists' Federation and one of them is Sustrans, the charity behind the National Cycle Network in the UK. Sponsors include big organisations as well such as the European Union Committee for Transport and Tourism and the Accell Group NV.

The European Cyclists' Federation has been working with many actors across the continent including local authorities, governments, charities, NGOs, sponsors and volunteers - not only to make this real but to promote important values such as health and environment conservation, besides bicycle touring. This proves how joint efforts can make big ideas - and ones great for the future of our planet - possible.

Although each cycling route is numbered, a name has been assigned to each one as well, according to its characteristics. The Rivers Route, for example, connects the Atlantic to the Black Sea along 10 different countries and some of the most important rivers of Europe including the Loire and the Danube - just imagine what kind of experience this would be. The North Sea Cycle Route goes around the North Sea through the seven countries bordering it. The Pilgrims Route starts in Norway to finish in Spain, passing through medieval pilgrimage routes.

These impressive routes promise to offer very scenic voyages and you can imagine the many other interesting journeys to be made from other routes' names such as The Iron Curtain Trail, The Mediterranean Route or The Capitals Route…

Be the first to comment on this.