Tourists opt for cycle as a mode of transport as it also helps them to explore the narrow streets of Europe (Photo: Frankfurt Tourism)
When Shruti Vohra, an Associate Analyst, who works with United Airlines, an American carrier, at its office in Gurugram decided to visit Italy for her first trip there, due to the traffic congestion in Rome, she opted to discard other options of local travel and turned to two wheels, taking an electric scooter or trottinette, instead.
“Being a first-time traveller to Italy, riding on my electric scooter through the streets of Rome was an enriching experience for me. It allowed me to immerse myself entirely in the historical and cultural dimensions of the capital city. At every turn that I took, a slice of history and heritage revealed itself to me and weaving past the pedestrians and cars to reach the Colosseum, the iconic attraction in Rome, that feeling of rush and excitement grew stronger. Renting the scooter and losing myself in the lush green and picturesque landscape was also something I never thought I would do for my first ever solo trip to Italy,’’ Vohra tells India Outbound.
While Vohra had turned to an electric trottinette, many tourists, including a few Indians, are using bicycles for their exploration of the Old Continent. This growth has come primarily due to the better infrastructure for cycling that has been put in place across Europe, with most urban centres now boasting of dedicated cycling paths and easy pick-up and drop-off points for a variety of cycles present in most parts of cities all over Europe.
A group of Indians cycling through the lanes of Amsterdam (Photo: Anup Sharma)
Traditionally, travel across Europe has meant taking to either rail, airline, buses or cars, either with or without chauffeurs. But with rising awareness about sustainability and as move to decongest at least the urban areas, most European nations have been promoting cycles as an alternative for moving around within cities. Tourists opt for cycle as a mode of transport as it also helps them to explore the narrow streets of Europe and experience its culture closely.
Though not too many at the moment, even Indian visitors are being attracted to cycle tours.
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“I went to Germany five years ago for an exchange programme and stayed at my partner, Emily’s place. We mostly explored the town of Ellwangen in Germany, cycling our way through both green landscapes and small residential areas. We cycled continuously for around three hours taking pit stops at serene locations in between,” Bhavini Bisht, Decision Analytics Associate, ZS Associates, a consultancy in Pune, tells India Outbound.
The tourists say that using cycles is easy in Europe as most of the tourist places are in close proximity to each other and are easily accessible by foot or cycles, and more importantly, dedicated cycle paths have been made right next to the roads, taking safety into account.
“European cities have invested heavily in cycling infrastructure, creating safer and more accessible routes. I usually rent a cycle along with my friends when visiting different European cities like Haarlem and Naarden. It takes around three hours to cover 50 to 60 km to explore the countryside. There are times when I also prefer to go to work by cycling,” Anup Sharma, Trade Lane Director (Europe & Asia), JAS Worldwide, a global logistics company, tells India Outbound.
Seeing this growing trend of cycling among Indian travellers to Europe, many tour operators have begun to organise cycle tours, that last from a few hours to several days. Meha Vashi, Founder and Director of Nivalink, a Mumbai-based travel agency, has also facilitated cycle tours. Vashi talks of a cycle tour that she had organised for a group of 10 Indians, aged between 25-55 years, hailing from Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar in Gujarat, who were visiting Europe.
Meha Vashi
“We organised a cycle tour starting from Slovenia, through national park and Lake Bled, and they went all the way to Croatia for leisure experience,’’ Vashi tells India Outbound.
Apart from Slovenia and Croatia, Vashi says that other popular destinations for cycle tours include Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and parts of Germany, notably in the Black Forest region.
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“Cycle tourism is a very small segment yet very popular especially among those who are into cycling on a frequent basis,” Vashi adds.
Seeing the rising interest amongst Indian tourists, various European destinations such as Belgium, Norway, Sweden and Denmark are actively promoting cycle tourism as an essential component of their sustainable tourism attractions. They acknowledge the economic advantages it provides to local communities and its significance in environmental preservation.
Ellona Pereira
“Cycling tours are still a niche segment among Indian travellers to Belgium, but the interest is steadily growing, particularly among adventure enthusiasts, luxury travellers and niche groups like corporate teams and cycling clubs. Cycling is a popular activity among urban Indians, with 67 pc reporting they ride a bicycle at least once a week, according to Ipsos Global Advisor Cycling Survey 2022. This indicates a strong potential for cycling tourism, however the exact figures are currently not available,” Ellona Pereira, General Manager, Aviareps India, a leading marketing and representation agency which represents Visit Brussels in India, tells India Outbound.
As Indians are very particular about their itineraries because they want everything to be planned in advance, these destinations provide a variety of itineraries to position cycle tours as part of curated experiences that blend gastronomy, heritage, and leisure, making them more appealing to a broader audience.
Copenhagen ranks as the world’s best capital city for cycling (Photo: Visit Copenhagen)
“One of the most popular cycling routes in Brussels is the ‘Green Belt Route’ that is about 120 km and offers a scenic loop around the city featuring the Sonian Forest, Gaasbeek Castle, and nature reserves. Other top cycling itineraries include the ‘Brussels City Highlights Tour’, covering landmarks like Grand Place, Atomium, and Parc de Cinquantenaire, and the Sonian Forest and ‘Tervuren Park Route’, offering a nature-rich ride through UNESCO-listed forests and the Africa Museum. ‘The Canal Route’ to Vilvoorde provides a flat, scenic ride along the Brussels-Charleroi Canal, while the ‘Art Nouveau & Street Art Tour’ showcases Victor Horta’s architectural masterpieces and BD Comics murals. For beer enthusiasts, the ‘Brewery & Beer Tour’ explores iconic breweries like Cantillon and Brasserie de la Senne. Lastly, the ‘Atomium & Laeken Parks Route’ takes cyclists to the Atomium, Royal Greenhouses, and the Chinese and Japanese Pavilions. You also have several others which include Flanders and Wallonia as well,” Pereira adds.
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Mohit Batra
But Indian visitors are no longer restricting themselves to city limits for cycle tours, many of those are opting for tours lasting several days, notably in the Scandinavian countries.
“For many years we noticed Indians travelling to Europe enjoy cycling in the city as this is what they could not do back in India, on their own. Today we notice that they are willing to explore cycling trips beyond just a few hours of an activity. Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is best explored on two wheels and no wonder it is known as the world’s best bike city,” Mohit Batra, Country Head, Scandinavian Tourist Board, tells India Outbound.
“Today, Indian tourists are looking for a great variation of cycling trips in Norway, from fjord cycling to mountain biking trails and more. Sweden on the other side offers everything from urban exploration to long-distance rural rides. We are also including active holidays in our familiarisation visits to both trade and media, to promote cycle tours in the Indian market as we see this trend grow more in future within the young Indian outbound travellers,” Batra adds.
Another European destination which is famous for cycling and promoting cycle tourism is Frankfurt, the German financial hub.
Beate Mauder Kakkar
“Frankfurt’s well-maintained cycling infrastructure, scenic routes along the River Main, and the opportunity to explore the historic town allow for a great cycling experience. The cycle tours in Frankfurt such as ‘Frankfurt Bike Tour’ or ‘Baja Bikes’ allow you to explore the New Old Town, the Sachsenhausen neighbourhood and the Museum Embankment. Travellers can rent a cycle and also take day trips to nearby destinations like Wiesbaden or Taunus. There is an increasing focus on promoting cycling tours in India. We partner with Indian travel agencies to include cycling tours in travel packages in their itineraries. Frankfurt Tourism Board hosts webinars for Indian travel agents, they take part in travel fairs in India wherein they promote and encourage bicycling through Frankfurt,” Beate Mauder Kakkar, Managing Director, Indiva Marketing, an agency that promotes Frankfurt Tourism in India, tells India Outbound.
For visitors not in a tearing rush, exploring Frankfurt by bike is a fantastic way to discover the city’s highlights at one’s own pace.
“With a well-developed network of cycling paths, you can easily ride along the Main River, passing by iconic landmarks like the Römer, the Old Opera House, and the impressive skyline. Whether you rent a bike or join a guided cycling tour, it is an eco-friendly and enjoyable way to experience Frankfurt. Safety is also a priority, with clear signage, bike-friendly traffic signals, and well-lit paths, making it a great option for both locals and visitors to explore Frankfurt comfortably and securely,” Leona Flach, Marketing Manager, Frankfurt Tourism Board, tells India Outbound.
Also Read: Picturesque Pedalling for Pleasure
Leona Flach
The EuroVelo network, with over 90,000 km of routes, is a cornerstone of Europe’s cycling infrastructure. It connects major cities and rural areas, providing cyclists with a seamless and scenic journey across the continent.
Cycling through Brussels is the perfect way to experience the city’s vibrant energy (Photo: Visit Brussel)
Apart from cycles, there is a growing trend of e-bikes that has made cycle tourism more accessible to a wider audience. These electric bicycles allow riders to enjoy longer distances without the strain of traditional cycling, appealing to those with physical limitations or who prefer a more leisurely pace.
Indeed, the growing presence of cyclable paths and development of itineraries on cycles is attracting Indian visitors and repeat visitors like Vohra from Gurugram plan on going the whole way on their next visit to Europe.
“On my last trip to Italy, I mostly got around on electric scooters, which was super fun, but next time, I really want to explore the city on a cycle. I feel like it would be a great way to take in the city properly, without just zipping past everything. When I visit Italy or any other part of Europe again, I would love to ride around on a cycle, stop wherever I want, and maybe even join cycling tours to explore the city with others,’’ says Vohra.
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