KAPU – Working together for more comprehensive cycling networks and services

We improve the conditions for cycling

Duration of the project

1.4.2024. – 31.12.2026

Source of funding

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 2023-2027

Total funding

348 606 €

The aim of the project is to identify and disseminate information on the main development needs of cycle tourism and cycling journeys for municipalities, businesses and developers of cycle tourism and transport.

Challenges for cyclists may include lack of signposting and information, lack of safe cycle paths, lack of public transport and cycling connections or lack of basic services such as toilets and water points. However, there is no precise information on the extent to which each of these deficiencies affects the choices of cyclists. The project will identify bottlenecks in the cycling experience, i.e. factors that slow down or prevent a trip and what could be done to address these challenges.

Project measures:

• Carry out a current situation analysis of cycle tourism conditions, services and accessibility on the selected routes.
• Sending pilot teams to assess the conditions of services and routes on the cycle routes to be further defined in the project. A checklist will be developed for this purpose. At the same time, a communication campaign will be carried out.
• Bringing together local service providers, landowners and municipal representatives to discuss, find and develop solutions to improve services for cycling tourists. The aim is, for example, to increase the use of the Welcome Cyclist logo.
• Topical issues such as interchanges as accessibility enhancers, models for cooperation between private and public road operators to achieve more comprehensive cycling networks, the need to develop logistical services for cycling tourists and the potential for extending the cycling tourism season will be raised in the national debate.
• Develop and innovate service models that take into account the needs of cycling tourists and prepare development proposals and evaluations of selected sites for the participating municipalities and help them to promote them.
• Helping municipalities to find sources of funding for their development projects and to network with other municipalities and actors.

The results of the project include an analysis of the current situation of cycle tourism in the project area, a checklist for the evaluation of routes and service provision, a participatory approach to identifying the needs of cycle tourism, development proposals for the participating municipalities and product idea cards for the development of services.

The target groups of the project are municipalities, service providers and third sector operators, as well as regional tourism organisations and developers. The beneficiaries are in particular cycling tourists, local residents and local businesses.

The project partners are Valonia and Turku University of Applied Sciences. The municipalities involved are Masku and Naantali. The project is also supported by Kustavi, Mynämäki and Parainen and the National Cycling Tourism Centre.

Read more on the project website KAPU – More comprehensive cycling networks and services through cooperation – Valonia