Description
The project addresses the need to ensure safe cycling in Ruse District where the international Evro Velo Route No 6 passes. The project aims at creating and disseminating among the stakeholders of a common database and a map of off-street cycling routes. First, partnership will be established with the municipal and district administration in the 8 municipalities in Ruse District. Second, the legal framework and the current state of the cycling routes will be checked and new routes will be proposed. Third, an interactive map of cycling routes in the form of an online GIS-based application will be developed. Fourth, 10 kilometers of cycling routes will be cleared and marked. Finally, the interactive map will be promoted during an information campaign. The project will benefit all cyclists living or riding as tourists across Ruse District, the local communities and authorities and the relevant cycling NGOs.
Summary of project results
The demand for suitable cycling tourist destinations in Rousse District increased after the first cycling lanes were introduced to the city. The lack of appropriate information brought to the fore the need of such project. The EuroVelo 6 Route across the region included sections with heavy traffic. The project aimed at creating and disseminating among citizens and local authorities a common database of developed extra-urban cycling routes together with information about all places of interest for tourists (accommodation, restaurants, water-fountains, cultural tourist attractions, etc.) which would help develop cycling tourism, in addition to the routes between the city and suburbs. The project involved the local communities (cycling and tourist organizations) and local authorities in most municipalities in the creation of a thematic map of cycling routes in the region. Slivo Pole Municipality even included the routes on its territory in its new Master Plan. The other municipalities are in the process of preparing their Master Plans and are to include the project proposals and thus ensure the sustainability of the project results. The main beneficiaries were young people from the local communities (cycling and tourist organizations), local authorities and cyclists. All of them were involved in the drafting of the cycling map through target meetings, discussions, public debates and informal conversations. For more information about the project, please, visit:
http://velo-ruse.eu. For access to the interactive map of cycling routes in Rousse Region, please, visit:
http://map.velo-ruse.eu
Summary of bilateral results