Italy-Austria cross-border cycle networks boost tourism
- 10 January 2021
© GECTEuregioSenzaConfini, 2019
An EU-supported project has established a cycling network that straddles the border between north-east Italy and Austria. The Eastern Alps Cycleway Network (ReCAO) allows travellers to use local train and bus services to link their journeys, which take in scenic landscapes and historic and cultural sites. EMOTIONWay brought together the regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trento Alto Adige and Veneto in Italy and Carinthia, Austria. The goal is to bring more tourists to the cross-border region while shifting traffic flows from road to more sustainable modes of transport.
'The added value generated by cross-border cooperation consists of creating a network that uses existing transport services and infrastructure. Progress has been achieved by exploiting the area’s under-used cycleways and places of natural and cultural interest.'
The project team first established a database of existing cycle lanes, roadways and intermodal transport services in the cross-border area. The routes are supported by 975 km of railway lines and a comprehensive local public road transport system which is served by six cycle/bus routes. Four of these were activated by the EMOTIONWay project.
The collected data proved invaluable when identifying issues that hinder accessibility to local sites of natural and cultural interest.
EMOTIONWay has now launched the following intermodal services that bridge missing links to complete the network’s interconnections:
Venzone-Tolmezzo-Paluzza-Passo-Monte Croce Carnico-Kotschach/Mauthen Ossiacher See Tarvisio and Kranjska Gora and between Kötschach Mauhten-Thörl Maglern-Venzone Kötschach-Mauthen and Paluzza, and Tröpolach-Nauhten-Thörl Maglern-Venzone Kötschach-Mauthen and Paluzza, and between Tröpoleld-NaupolachProviding new services
The cycle network is being promoted as a new cross-border tourist attraction. Efforts are being made to draw in visitors by offering a range of new services, including travel on historic trains, overnight facilities, and bike repair stations.
Already rail services that use historic trains are proving popular. Figures for 2019 show that such services were 78 % full. A passenger survey revealed an overall service satisfaction rate of between 95 % and 100 %. A total of 26 trains ran from March to December 2019. Moreover, new rail services are equipped with bike racks to encourage cyclists to use the new network.
Additionally, EMOTIONWay has developed a travel planner which provides information about public transport services along the ReCAO route, including up-to-date timetables for buses and trains. The planner helps the network’s users plot their journeys and holidays.
A lasting legacy
All the ReCAO cycle paths feature in the participating regions’ mobility plans. In addition, the trans-regional database will be updated annually, even after the end of the project. That means EMOTIONWay will continue to provide information and data to strengthen the development of the cross-border network and transport services.
Beneficiaries
‘Thanks to this great project we were finally able to create a bike-bus service connecting our region to Tarvisio and Kranjska Gora. Our guests appreciated the unique chance to discover the beauty of our three countries by bike in one day. It was great to be part of EmotionWay.’
– Region Villach Tourismus GmbH
‘Experience green mobility in the border territories of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Carinthia and Autonomous Province of Bolzano: a unique emotion along cycleways and walks with the support of railway intermodality.’
– Regione autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia-Direzione centrale infrastrutture e territorio
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “EMOTIONWay: Eco & soft mobility through innovative and optimised network of cross-border natural and cultural ways” is EUR 1 586 000, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 998 000 through the “Interreg V-A Italy-Austria” Cooperation Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “nature and culture”.