Why cycling tourism is growing and what it means for sustainable travel

Riding the green wave: why cycling tourism is gaining ground

For Agathe Daudibon, cycling holidays offer a rare kind of freedom — a way to feel the wind, stay connected to the landscape, and travel without a heavy burden, both literally and environmentally. As Director of EuroVelo and Cycling Tourism at the European Cyclists’ Federation, she is helping to shape low-impact, high-reward trips in Europe and beyond.

EuroVelo’s 17 long-distance routes stretch across over 40 countries, catering to everything from epic cross-continent journeys to weekend escapes. During and after the pandemic, cycling tourism saw a significant uptick — with some routes recording a 10% increase in use. Agathe sees this momentum as more than a trend; it’s a signal that the future of travel lies closer to the ground.

Cycling, she argues, is not only one of the most climate-friendly travel options — it also brings tangible benefits to local economies. With limited luggage, cycle tourists tend to spend more at shops, cafes, and guesthouses along their route. This creates a ripple effect of positive impact, all while avoiding the emissions of more conventional modes of transport.

Sustainable, accessible, and deeply human in scale, cycling tourism isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s an essential part of the climate transition. “It’s just an obvious way forward,” says Agathe, “if we want to keep tourism thriving and nature protected.”