Interconnecting the bicycle paths of the hinterland to the Adriabike and Adrioncycletour cycle routes
The Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia 2021-2027 Programme aims at: “enhancing cross-border cooperation for improving the quality of life of population, preserving and promoting cultural and natural heritage and enhancing the climate neutrality of the Programme area through sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth.”
Policy objective: PO4 – A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights
Specific objective: SO 6 – enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation
Typology: Capitalization project
Duration of the project: 01. 10. 2023 – 30. 09. 2025 (24 months)
Lead partner: Regijska razvojna agencija ROD
Project partners:
- Regionalni razvojni center Koper
- GAL VENEZIA ORIENTALE
- Občina Ilirska Bistrica
- IT S.R.L.
- Torre Natisone GAL soc. cons a r.l.
Associated partners:
- Regione autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia – Direzione centrale infrastrutture e territorio
- Občina Izola
Budget: 749.579,19 eur
ERDF Budget: 599.663,35 eur
The Inter Bike III project transferred good practices in the development of cycling tourism along the Adriabike cycle route (Kranjska Gora-Ravenna) from the previous two projects of the same name to the new areas of Brkini and the Torre and Natisone river valleys. The D7 (Robič-Jelšane) and FVG3 (Ciclovia Pedemontana) cycle routes run through these two areas, where a new tourist product, the Alpina Mediterranean cycle route, has been developed. In addition, the project has upgraded the cycling infrastructure in the cross-border area with new rental bikes and e-charging stations, improved the tourist offer, and established the management of the Alpina Mediterranean route. In this way, it aims to enable cyclists to enjoy a pleasant ride from Friuli, through Slovenia, to Kvarner. The project has also introduced and tested new transport services for cyclists – a trial bus line between Ajdovščina and Cividale del Friuli and between the Vipava Valley and Predmeja, and introduced two boat lines along the Caorle Lagoon and the Lemene River. In the Coastal-Karst region, based on a study of public passenger transport, there are plans to improve public bus and rail passenger transport, which should also become more cyclist-friendly.
Project results:
- New cycling tourism product – 300 km long Alpina Mediterranean cycle route from Venzone to Opatija, presented on the upgraded website bike-alpeadria.eu.
- A Study on public passenger transport in domestic and international road and rail transport in the Coastal-Karst region. The study serves as a basis for negotiations with the state to improve bus and rail lines in the region.
- Pilot services for passenger and bicycle transport by bus and van on the Ajdovščina-Cividale del Friuli and Vipava Valley-Predmeja routes tested in the summer of 2025.
- An electric boat with auxiliary petrol engines has been built to transport up to 25 people and bicycles, which operates on new sea routes in the Caorle Lagoon and on the Lemene River.
- A new wooden pier has been built on the Lemene River in Cavanella in the Municipality of Concordia Sagittaria for the landing of boats sailing on the route from Caorle to the hinterland.
- Bicycles for hire at tourist information centers in Ilirska Bistrica and San Pietro al Natisone. A new bike rental point has been set up in Portogruaro.
- Three new charging stations for e-bikes in Brkini – at the tourist information center and on the town square in Ilirska Bistrica and in Trpčane.
Interreg Italia – Slovenija webpage: https://www.ita-slo.eu/sl
Inter Bike III webpage: https://www.ita-slo.eu/sl/inter-bike-iii
Cycle routes websites: Alpina Mediterranean, Adriabike, bike-alpeadria.eu
Contact info:
Larisa Kunst
Phone: (05) 663 75 80
E-mail: larisa.kunst@rrc-kp.si