Homeland of Cycling

Context
Cycling is part of the genetic make-up of the residents of the East-Flanders. Races draw huge crowds and result in a spontaneous festival.

Objectives
1) Tourists can enjoy the spectacle and atmosphere of a classic cycling race (see)
2) Tourists can experience how it is to cycle on the famous bergs and cobblestones and go for a ride (do)
3) Connecting cycling with: the exploration of the landscape, the regional products, the cultural heritage (taste and experience)

Implementation
Homeland of Cycling creates different cycling experiences for an international audience. Actions:
- Cycling route infrastructure: 115 cycling routes, create your own route (cycle ‘nodes’ where cycling paths intersect), thematic routes (Tour of Flanders route, Plan Beer route, Eddy Merckx route).
- Experience centre ‘Tour of Flanders’ (museum, workshops and shop)
- Guided tours by famous ex-cyclists
- Race day tourism (experience the start or finish of a professional race)
- Tour of Flanders cyclo ‘We ride Flanders’ and ‘Retro ronde’
- Linking cycling to regional products: local food and beverages, beer, bars,…
- Admire the landscape through the cycling events. Slow TV experiment.
- Cycling for disabled people.
- Knowledge and product development on cycling tourism with private partners, government and knowledge centres.

Stakeholders
Municipalities, cycling race organisers, lodging sector, SMEs active in cycling, social economy, media