Iron Curtain Trail: Sustainable mobility along the newest EuroVelo route
Published on 12 May 2020
Hungary
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About this good practice
Geographically & ethnically organic cross border regions along the Hungarian borderline were divided for long by the Iron Curtain after World War II.
Relations faded, municipalities came to a social, economic decline, but environment remained intact. The cross border region offers great opportunities for eco-friendly approaches and practices, like bicycle tourism.
Several projects have already aimed this goal, however a connected and signposted bicycle road network covering the whole region and a complex biker-friendly offer built on this network has not yet been achieved.
The main goals of the first major initiative, the Iron Curtain Trail (financed by the South East Europe programme) project were to improve the accessibility of the affected regions by bicycle, to connect European regions by a long distance cycle route, to realise opportunities for cycling and public transport connections, to promote cycling as a means of sustainable mobility and tourism.
The Austrian-Hungarian section of the 10.000 km long trail is 235 km.
Since then, through new projects during the past few years, further improvements have been made: development of complex sustainable transport & touristic offers; promotion & communication activities; development of regional soft tourism & mobility portals, printed promotion tools & campaigns, promotional events, launch of new EuroVelo13-Iron Curtain Trail application.
More info: ThreeT project IE website, Library section, Study Visit Report Hungary.
Relations faded, municipalities came to a social, economic decline, but environment remained intact. The cross border region offers great opportunities for eco-friendly approaches and practices, like bicycle tourism.
Several projects have already aimed this goal, however a connected and signposted bicycle road network covering the whole region and a complex biker-friendly offer built on this network has not yet been achieved.
The main goals of the first major initiative, the Iron Curtain Trail (financed by the South East Europe programme) project were to improve the accessibility of the affected regions by bicycle, to connect European regions by a long distance cycle route, to realise opportunities for cycling and public transport connections, to promote cycling as a means of sustainable mobility and tourism.
The Austrian-Hungarian section of the 10.000 km long trail is 235 km.
Since then, through new projects during the past few years, further improvements have been made: development of complex sustainable transport & touristic offers; promotion & communication activities; development of regional soft tourism & mobility portals, printed promotion tools & campaigns, promotional events, launch of new EuroVelo13-Iron Curtain Trail application.
More info: ThreeT project IE website, Library section, Study Visit Report Hungary.
Resources needed
- Mix of HR resources: municipal leaders, tourism development & cycling / public transport & IT expert.
- Monetary resources from EU and local funding: 1.403.441,05 EUR - total budget the whole transnational project; 202.074 EUR for project management in Hungary (public 95%; own contribution 5%)
- Monetary resources from EU and local funding: 1.403.441,05 EUR - total budget the whole transnational project; 202.074 EUR for project management in Hungary (public 95%; own contribution 5%)
Evidence of success
The route is signposted including train connections, considerable international marketing began (through the European Cyclists' Federation and with EuroVelo 13 application, which you can lookup in google play store or Apple Appstore).
Soft mobility (train + cycling + walking) offers formed in cooperation with with public transport companies, tourist services, local municipalities.
Conservation and accessibility of natural and cultural values of the border region.
Soft mobility (train + cycling + walking) offers formed in cooperation with with public transport companies, tourist services, local municipalities.
Conservation and accessibility of natural and cultural values of the border region.
Potential for learning or transfer
Creating an active network with equal emphasis on mobility, tourism, nature protection, cross-border connections and large-scale connections.
Opportunity to adopt practices that crystallize on the basis of cooperation between actors from different sectors.
- Excellence of the practice: The whole trail is also an EuroVelo route, so the quality standards of the European bicycle network had to be met.
- Effectiveness of the practice: The common sign system, EuroVelo methodological background and co-operative management ensure operational efficiency + strong EuroVelo brand & attractiveness of the route can stimulate further improvements.
- Transferable activities and features: Possible linking of geographically extensive cross-border network stations to thematic routes of other themes.
- Conditions required for the practice to be developed in other contexts: Similar natural and cultural conditions, sufficient professional expertise ans strong commitment from key actors to development.
Opportunity to adopt practices that crystallize on the basis of cooperation between actors from different sectors.
- Excellence of the practice: The whole trail is also an EuroVelo route, so the quality standards of the European bicycle network had to be met.
- Effectiveness of the practice: The common sign system, EuroVelo methodological background and co-operative management ensure operational efficiency + strong EuroVelo brand & attractiveness of the route can stimulate further improvements.
- Transferable activities and features: Possible linking of geographically extensive cross-border network stations to thematic routes of other themes.
- Conditions required for the practice to be developed in other contexts: Similar natural and cultural conditions, sufficient professional expertise ans strong commitment from key actors to development.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
West Pannon Regional and Economic Development Public Nonprofit Ltd.
Hungary
Nyugat-Dunántúl
Contact
Deputy Head of Department