Cycling in EU, LV, Vidzeme Region

Vidzeme Tourism Association

10.09.2013. – Vidzeme region

Survey of foreign tourists in Latvia: What did you do during your trip?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

City sightseeing 75,6 Hiking/walking in nature 40,1 Swimming / sunbathing 21,4 Cycling 11,6 Skiing 1,4 Enjoying nature 37,8 Experiencing peace and tranquility 26,4 Rehabilitation 11,8 Visited main attractions 45,1 Spending time with kids 10,2 Get familiarised with local life 24,1 Enjoyed cultural heritage 36,3 Tried gastronomy 41 Night life and entertainment 24,4 Relaxation 24,9 Sport activities 9,9 Other 10 Cycling in Official Documents

• National programm for development of cycling system 1999 – 2015 (Ministry of Transport, 1999) • Research “Tracking of EuroVelo routes in the territory of Latvia” (2000) • Latvian Tourism development strategy for 2009 – 2015 (Ministry of Economics, 2009) - Development of tourism products: one of the priority products: Active tourism incl. Cycling tourism - market research, product marketing campaigns in the target markets Cycling in official documents

 Research of EuroVelo Routes in Latvia (2001)  Research of „Development of EuroVelo routes in Latvia” (2007) EV 11, EV 10

Cycling Routes / Roads in Latvia Bicycle roads:  Traffic safety projects  Structural funds in 2008 (4,9 mlj EUR) - Dobele, Tukums, , Garkalne, Liepāja, Rīga, , , Jūrmala – average 7 km distance cycle roads through towns Fragmentary, usually, short distance roads Bicycle routes:  In Latvia ~100 local routes  various in length, theme, signs, road surface, marketing, infrastructure, quality

Project-based initiatives

 Interreg IIIB the project “Exciting Cycling Net in the Baltic Countries of Lakes”  Phare CBC 2002 supported project “Kuldiga –cycling transport and tourism supporting town in Latvia”  Interreg III B project Baltic Sea Cycling in Livani, Jelgava, Cēsis 2005- 2007  Interreg III A project “"Development of town and tourism in Estonian-Latvian borderland“ - cycle route Rūjiena-Ķoņi-Lilli-Karksi-Nuija created.  LAT – LIT project “Improvement of Active Tourism in Border Region” – Cycling in Palanga - Sventoji – Nica area.

Problems to be solved in Latvia

Regular maintenance of the routes

Cooperation between institutions - Ministry of Transport (development of cycling road system, safety criteria), Ministry of Economics (product development, marketing), municipalities, NGO, private land owners Year 2007

9 Road Sign standard in Latvia

LVS standartd Nr. 842 Cycling signs in Latvia (2008) Signs in the forests

Local – gravel road

2007. g. 4. oktobris14 J. Smaļinskis, LLTA LC

2007. g. 4. oktobris J. Smaļinskis, LLTA LC 15 Rīga- 3 cycling routes around Vidzeme How did Vidzeme started? The Development of the Cycling Routes

The Idea of the Route

The target audience(s) of the route

The planning of routes and route maps

Real-life testing of the routes

Cooperation within the stakeholders anlong the route

Issuing (printing) the Route Map

Sign-posting of the routes

Promoting the rootes, maintaining the infrastructure Cycling road EV 11 (idea about cross-border project TourdeLatest) Cycling road EV 11 (idea about cross-border project TourdeLatest) Sign inplementation in Latvia(2008-)

- Euro velo sign (Approved by ECF in 2011)  National level cycling road from 1 to 9 (Latvia nr.6 nr.7) more than 400 km  Regional veloroad from 11 to 99 (nr.17) 151 km - 400 km  Local veloroad from 101 to 999 (divided 4 region) <150 km (more than 30) Approved 28.01.2012. Responsible organization - VTA

Partnership – Project Tour de LatEst (2009-2010)

 Lead partner – Vidzeme Tourism Association  Partners from Estonia:  Valga County Government (covering also 4 counties – Tartu, Viljandi, Jogeva, Valga)  Partners from Latvia:  municipality  municipality  Mālpils municipality   Valkas municipality  Latvian tourism development agency Tour de LatEst

1296 km in Latvia and Estonia 8 countries Cycling route map

Joint cycling-tourism map of cycling in 50 000 copies in Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian, English, Russian, German and Finnish Cycling Info stands Latvia - 36 Info stands, Bicycle parking stands Handbook for Cycling-Tourist friendly accommodations Routes in Gauja National Park Alūksne – Stāmeriena- Gulbene Cesvaine - Madona - Ērgļi

Cycling Brochure in 7 languages Tourism Fairs (Germany)

Baltic States EV10 EV11

From 2011 – Euro velo 13 Iron Curtain Trail

Iron Curtain Trail 13 (North section) 2011- 2012 Project: Promotion of cycling tourism in the European Union as means of sustainable tourism development” ENT/TOU/10/611 The model : « The Berlin Wall Trail »

160 km around former West-Berlin Iron Curtain Trail 13 (North section)

 Partners:  Lead Partner – European Cyclist’s Federation  Poland – PSWE  Germany - ADFC  Lithuania- Lithuanian Cyclist’s Community  Latvia - Vidzeme Tourism Association  Sweeden - Cykelfrämjandet  Finland, - North Karelia University of Applied Sciences  Estonia- Vanta Aga

Cycling in official documents

 National Status Report- Development of ICT 13 (2011) Vidzeme Tourism Association

 National Action Plan –Development of ICT 13 (2011) Vidzeme Tourism Association

ENT/TOU/10/611

.  Main benefits:  New Velo route in Latvia based on ECF methodology;  Implementation of ICT 13 in Latvia – field study of the infrastructure, signposting, catering, military objects, cultural heritage objects  Research of critical parts of the sections, solutions  Preparation of the Action Plan for every section  Preparation of the National Report – for all Latvia  2014-2020: implementation of ICT  Trans-National workshop in Latvia  3 international workshops – Gdansk, Rostock and  Final conference in Brussels Route ICT 13 in Latvia - totally 564 km

Ainaži – Skulte- 84,6 km (89,0 km) (68,6)km  (Skulte-Lilaste) -24,6 km (19,7 km)  Carnikava(Lilaste- Vecāķi) -28,2 km (20,2 km)  Rīga - 35,7 km  Jūrmala -28,4 km  Jūrmala – Kolka – 112,5 km  Kolka – Ventspils - 72,8 km  Ventspils- 17,8 km  Ventspils- Medzes muiža- 93 km  Liepāja - 32,0 km  Liepāja- Nida - 54,00 km  Kopā = 564 km

2nd Section–Saulkrasti – 24,6 km

Total – 24,6 km

Cycle path -11,3 km

Asphalt low -3,1km

Gravel, sand 10,2 km

Cycling Route evalution criteria Cycling Route evalution criteria Service evalution criteria

Railway Heritage - Banitis

Promotion evalution criteria ECOM -Brussels Sign inplementation in Latvia(2008-) - Euro velo sign (Approved by ECF 2011)  Nacional level veloroad from 1 to 9 (Latvia nr.6 nr.7.) more than 400 km  Regional veloroad from 11 to 99 (nr.17) 151 km - 400 km  Local veloroad from 101 to 999 (divided 4 region) <150 km (more than 30) Approved 28.01.2012. Responsible organization - VTA

LVS standard Nr. 842 (Temporary sign) Signposting in Latvia Signposting in Latvia

Cross contry skiing

→ Local Signposting

CyclingRoute 101 along Vidzeme coast

Existing infrastructure ICT 13 Route infrastructure

Route infrastructure:

Total- 583 km : 326,0 km asphalt low 59,0 km –asphalt high 119,0 km cycle path 79 km (grawel or sand)

Limbaži-Skulte-Saulkrasti-Bīriņi-Īgate-Limbaži local route nr 109 The Northern part

Latvia: Freedom Monument in Latvia: The Museum of the Riga Occupation in Riga Carnikava

ICT -13 Riga

2014.-2020. Latvia -32,3 m.EUR

Central Baltic Cycling The Benefits of the Project

To promote long-term cooperation and planning between public and private sectors regarding development of tourism and cycling tourism;  To improve infrastructure of cycling tourism and lay ground for further development of cyclist-friendly infrastructure;  To promote whole Latvia as joint tourist destination Internationally  To connect Latvia to common Europe cycle network Partnership (2012-2013)

 Lead partner – Zemgale Planning region  Partner from Estonia - NGO West-Estonia Tourism  Partner from Finland -City of Vastaboland  Partner from Sweden – Orebro municipalities  Partners from Latvia:  Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre  Kurzeme tourism association

Vidzeme tourism association:   Limbazi municipality  Salacgriva municipality National route (Salacgrīva, Gauja,Daugavas route- ) N.7 Ainaži-Aloja-Matīši-Burtnieki-Rūjiena-Est/Lat Regional route nr.17 Ainaži-Salacgrīva-Tūja-Saulkrasti-Carnikava- Vecāķi ICT Euro velo 13

Project benefits in North Latvia

 New cycle survey and connection with Tour de LatEst  Promote abandoned train route  New route connection with Riga and Estonia  New route connection with Zemgale and Kurzeme

Recommendations

 Bicycle friendly routes (improved cycling routes which avoid busy traffic, road surface, connections with public transport, < 2000 units per day)  scenic roads (natural areas, water, cultural and historic attractions)  good local restaurants (local, ecological food)  cyclists friendly accommodation, Bed&Bike (secure bicycle parking, place for drying clothes, information)  bicycle repair places  good route maps, mobile applications and effective advertising (clear segments in target markets)

Project "Greenways“ Use of old railway lines for (cycling) tourism

. Lead partner - Spanish Railway Foundation . 2013.03.- 2014.07

. Planed activites:

 Latvia Greenway + EV 13 map  Fam Trips  International workshop in Riga

Saulkrasti Cycling museum, Munchausen Museum Thank you for your attention!

Raitis Sijāts Pils square 1, Cesis, LV – 4101, Latvia Office ph.: +371 64122011; Mobile ph.:+371 29175314; E-mail: [email protected]