Back to all

AtlanticOnBike – EuroVelo 1

The AtlanticOnBike project aimed to develop and promote a sustainable European tourism destination based on one of the longest and most fascinating European long distance cycle routes: EuroVelo 1 – Atlantic Coast Route. Funded by the EU Atlantic Area Interreg programme, this three-year project had a budget of almost 5 million euros.

Running from January 2017 to December 2020, the AtlanticOnBike project aimed at achieving positive economic outcomes thanks to a transnational cycle tourism strategy based on the natural and cultural assets of the EuroVelo 1, the so-called Atlantic Coast Route.

This project contributed to a low-carbon tourism development (car-free tourism). Its rationale was to stimulate, structure, promote and take part in the development of a cycle touristic offer along EuroVelo 1 in order to generate and monitor economic benefits at territorial and transnational levels.

AtlanticOnBike generated positive impacts on local economy by increasing visits, boosting local economy and creating new activities and new jobs in the tourism sector. It provided a new touristic offer accessible to a large range of the population, but also an attractive leisure destination for locals. The project also allowed to build common and transferable tools for a real European analysis of economic benefits.

Based on 6 Work Packages divided into 17 activities, some of the major accomplishments of this project are :

A touristic marketing strategy based on co-creation, coordinating national and regional applications and leading to harmonized and continuous communication.
The creation of joint transnational touristic products (cycling and gastronomy , biking and fishing, suitable circuits, etc...) accessible to a wide public (low-income, family, elders ...) within a sustainable design.
Ensuring consistency of services provided along the route to customers thanks to common standards leading to a certification of route and providers (accommodation, rental, tourist sites, etc)
The establishment of a common method for evaluating touristic visits and economic benefits with the creation of a transnational platform for data sharing and proceeding (quantitative and qualitative).
The emergence of EuroVelo 1 ambassadors cities network that will foster the development of local policies in favour of cycling mobility.
The establishment of coordinated events for dissemination.
The creation of a bicycle community for the dissemination of cycle tourism and trips.

ECF was one of 21 partners from 7 different countries.

Norway