Bicycle tourism in Italy has become a billion-dollar business, with 6.3 million tourists choosing bicycles as their preferred mode of transportation in 2022. This generated an economic impact of EUR 7.4 billion. Although Italy lags behind other European nations, there is a growing investment in cycling. A study by Banca Ifis reveals that accommodation facilities (EUR 1.4 billion), restaurants (EUR 800 million), clothing manufacturers (EUR 500 million), and leisure activities (EUR 300 million) have benefited from this form of tourism. Italy currently has a network of approximately 58,000 kilometers of cycling paths and tourism routes. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) has allocated EUR 600 million in funds for cycle tourism, aiming to develop 1,235 kilometers of new tourist cycle paths and 565 kilometers of new urban cycle paths by 2026.
The study indicates that the average cycling vacation in Italy lasts 11 days, with Northern Italy, particularly Trentino-Alto Adige, being the preferred region. Surprisingly, Southern Italy has also attracted bicycle tourists, accounting for 18% of the total flows. Tour operators are expected to experience a 15% growth in revenue from cycle tourism this year. Three key factors that will impact the future development of the sector are the rising popularity of e-bikes, the expansion of cycling paths, and the demand for group tours. Additionally, 45% of cyclists expressed the need for more traffic-free roads for safe cycling, while 71% of foreign tourists requested an increase in group tour offerings.
