Eleven million Italians on bikes are a sign that cycling tourism is changing the way people spend their vacations—and, at the same time, the tourism market. This summer marks another step forward: more people are loading their bikes onto bike racks before setting off, but even more are choosing to rent bikes once they arrive at their destination. This trend is expanding the pool of cycling tourists and strengthening a segment that is becoming increasingly important to local economies.
According tothe Confturismo-Confcommercio Observatory, conducted in collaboration with SWG, more than 11 million Italians will ride bicycles during the upcoming summer vacation. This figure includes 4.6 million people planning to travel with their own bikes—about 600,000 more than in 2023—and 6.6 million vacationers who will instead choose to rent bikes directly at their destination, representing an increase of more than one million compared to last year.
These figures reflect a shift in travel habits. Cycling is increasingly becoming part of vacation plans, even for those seeking outdoor experiences, nature trails, and a more direct connection with the places they visit.
Cycling Becomes Part of Italy’s Tourism Offerings
Cycling tourism is also changing the geography of vacations. A cycling route takes visitors away from the most crowded destinations and spreads tourist traffic and spending across areas that are often less affected by large tourist flows. Villages, rural areas, parks, and small towns can become stops on a journey centered on the landscape and exploration.
For many local communities, this represents a tangible economic opportunity: cycling tourists need adequate lodging, service points, rental services, dining options, and efficient transportation links. A cycling network is both a means of transportation and a factor that can help foster new forms of regional development.
The growth in demand, however, also highlights the challenges that still exist. In various parts of the country, the routes are fragmented, connections between bike paths and public transportation are insufficient, and the quality of services is not always consistent. The increase in users therefore calls for a significant improvement in planning.
Investing in programs and services
The issue has also made its way onto the government’s agenda. During a recent conference on small villages, Tourism Minister Gian Marco Mazzi announced the government’s intention to focus not only on hiking trails but also on revitalizing cycling tourism.
This view is shared by Manfred Pinzger, president of Confturismo-Confcommercio, who, commenting on the Observatory’s data, emphasized that “cycling has now become a central part of Italians’ summer vacations and represents a choice that goes far beyond simply participating in a sport.” According to Pinzger, cycle tourism represents “a new way of experiencing tourist destinations—one that is more sustainable, authentic, and respectful of local areas.”
For the president of Confturismo-Confcommercio, the priority is to continue investing “in the quality of cycling infrastructure, dedicated services, and the promotion of cycling routes,” so as to make cycling tourism a competitive advantage for the national tourism industry and an opportunity for small municipalities as well.
A network yet to be built
The growth of cycling tourism no longer depends solely on the passion of cyclists. Demand is already high and involves millions of travelers. The challenge now lies in the ability of local communities to organize themselves: to create safe routes, offer reliable services, and develop itineraries that integrate the environment, tourism, and local development.
Italy has a landscape that lends itself well to this type of travel. But for cycling to truly become a permanent feature of the tourism industry, we’ll need to move beyond individual routes and build an accessible and functional national network.
