There’s nothing quite like a bike ride on a warm summer’s day, breezing joyfully along with the sun on your back and the wind in your hair. However fast or far you go — whether you’re seeking a swift escape or shifting your surrounds at a slower pace — every bike ride brings with it an undeniable sense of freedom and excitement. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that two wheels is the best way to see the world.

With that thought in mind — and with World Bicycle Day just over the horizon — we set off to explore the surging trend of cycling tourism and all that it has to offer both travellers and destinations.

A sustainable, practical, and fun way to move and connect

World Bicycle Day officially falls on 3 June, but the use of bikes — whether ridden as practical transport within a destination or used as a leisurely means of getting from place to place — are part of a much wider phenomenon, one that is gaining notable traction among both Gen Z and Millennial travellers.

Among this cohort, this form of active travel is recognised not only for its sustainability credentials, but also as means of empowering travellers to make authentic connections and tangible contributions to the destinations they visit. Indeed, this is a sentiment echoed in a recent statement by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), an organisation that promotes cycling as both a means of practical transport and, quite simply, as a fun and joyous way to move through the world.

A round-up of bike-friendly destinations

Low in environmental impact and enabling visitors to slip from place to place with ease, cycling is a win-win for travellers and destinations alike. Here at Simpleview, cycle tourism is booming among both our European and North American clients, with many actively promoting their routes, trails, and paths to would-be visitors. And so, regardless of your ability (or your location) if you’re eager to get in the saddle, we’re here to give you a leg up with a selection of some of our most cycle-friendly destinations.

Since serving as the setting for the road race event in the London 2012 Olympics, the English region of Surrey has become synonymous with cycling. Today, visitors can head off on multiple paths and tracks across the scenic Surrey Hills, taking in picturesque villages and striking vistas. For those after a more urban experience, Bristol — the UK’s first cycling city and one of Europe’s most bike-friendly destinations — is praised for its extensive cycle network. Not only are all of its paths car-free, but many also offer good connectivity from the heart of Bristol to the surrounding countryside, making it easy for visitors to dip into and out of the city.

But if you really want to leave the urban sprawl behind, a cycling holiday in the New Forest could be the perfect fit for you. Located just 90 minutes by train from London Waterloo, this region is a great choice for cycling enthusiasts the whole year round, allowing visitors to enjoy all that this unique part of England has to offer in every season. For even more breathtaking scenery, the Lake District is blessed with paths and trails galore, each of which wind their way through breathtaking scenery. If you’re famished from all that cycling, then head to Northern Ireland, which offers a range of culinary experiences alongside (you guessed it) a network of trails and paths that enable cyclists of all abilities to explore some of the nation’s most stunning sites. Finally, as we round out the European leg of our cycle tour, we head to the Spanish region of Andalucia, where 160 kilometres of bike lanes make it easy to explore some of Seville’s most famous sites.

Among our North American clients, Madison’s many paths and lanes make it easy to explore Wisconsin’s capital city by bike, offering cyclists routes with lakeside views, ice cream parlours, or even a brewery or two (no judgement!). Heading from the Midwest to the mountains, Salt Lake City offers an incredible range of riding experiences, each of which allows cyclists of all abilities to enjoy their time in this striking landscape. If gentle hills are more your thing, use the town of Bentonville, Arkansas, as a base for exploring the misty slopes of the Ozarks the whole year round. But if you’re looking for a gentle way to end your trip, Michigan’s Mackinac Island — which features 70 miles of paved tracks and earth paths (and no cars!) — is the place to round out your ride.

Gearing up for success: how destinations can ride this trend

Almost any destination can tap into the rising trend of cycle tourism. But if you’re a destination marketing organisation (DMO) eager to ensure that the place you represent can benefit from this phenomenon, it’s time to gear up for success with the following tips:

  • Map out your cycle routes: Help visitors plan ahead by creating a page on your destination’s website that clearly outlines your local paths plus any points of interest along these routes. Consider embedding a tool like You.Smart.Thing — a digital platform that offers personalised route suggestions — into your site to help visitors create their own cycling itinerary within your destination.
     
  • Highlight your cycle-friendly accommodation: Cyclists come with lots of equipment, the most important piece of which is their bike. If you’re looking to attract more cycle tourists to your destination, create content that helps them to easily find accommodation with bike storage. This not only helps them to plan their trip more easily but offers a smoother in-destination visitor experience.
     
  • Create ready-made cycle itineraries: Finally, if you really want to make planning a visit to your destination a breeze, consider creating some ready-made itineraries. Here, it’s helpful to categorise itineraries by ride duration, difficulty and theme (i.e., wildlife and wilderness or food and drink, coastal, or urban, etc.).

Whether you do it for sustainability or sheer fun, there’s no better way to see the world than on two wheels. A low-impact way of creating unforgettable experiences and authentic connections, cycling tourism offers a myriad of benefits (and so much joy!) to destinations and travellers alike, this summer and beyond.