Good practice:

Guidelines and development of the Vistula Cycling Route

The Vistula Bicycle Route runs along the Vistula River, Poland’s longest river. It connects the Vistula River Valley and adjacent areas, to local cyclists and other visitors to Central Poland.
The route is a solution to the previously disordered network, aiming to be the regions’ axis of cycling tourism, joining numerous existing routes; passing railway stations it is ideal for and short trips. The right-bank route is 212 km and the left-bank route is 238 km long, although construction is so far limited to route guidelines and signposting.
The essence of the practice is to connect cycling and public transport and promote cycling as a mode of transport and sustainable tourism,, as 30% of the route will have paved bicycle routes constructed. The most important beneficiaries of the project are local governments, the route passes through 30 municipalities, cities and towns where bicycle traffic will be concentrated.
Landscapes are a significant asset, the presents natural attractions of the areas located in the eastern part of the Thorn-Eberswald Glacial Valley and in the southern part of the Lower Vistula River Valley, which constitute an ecological corridor from the Baltic Sea to the Carpathian Mountains. The riverbed runs through a vast agricultural valley marked by steep slopes cut by deep ravines. Animal species migrate along river and these regions are part of the Nature 2000 European special protection area network.

The total amount of the project was 260 000 EUR - 60% co-financing from the ROP and 40% as own project contribution (documents and permissions – 22 000 EUR, promotional materials and dissemination – 128 000 EUR, Signs – 92 000 EUR, Bicycle sheds 12 000 EUR, other including expert support 6 000 EUR

The longest cycling route in the region. It was delineated as a part of the nationwide VCR project. We marked it out as the third region in Poland (it was already developed by the Silesian and Małopolska regions earlier). The course of the route took into account investment plans of over 30 local governments (the construction of cycling routes). The route was signposted in 2014. In the same year, the partners organised bicycle rallies in 4 the largest cities along the route - 5363 participants

Laying out and marking the route, selection of project partners, arrangements between institutions

A partnership with 30 local government units was established, and extensive consultations were carried out with public institutions, local authorities and NGOs. This also included a consultation meeting gathering a group of stakeholders. When the project gained the support of local governments, a partnership agreement with for joint project implementation was agreed on. The longest bicycle route in the region was developed. A similar practice is implemented by the Pomorskie Region.