Le vie del BIKE: The Cycle Tourism Initiative to Discover Italy

Le vie del BIKE is part of the initiative “Viaggio Italiano – Scopri l’Italia che non sapevi”, a project of the Ministry of Tourism that aims to enhance the Italian tourist heritage through thematic itineraries. Itineraries and themes that allow you to cross the entire peninsula in a single ideal journey.

Italy for those who travel by bike

le vie del BIKE a IBF Misano
le vie del BIKE, IBF 2024 Misano

At the Italian Bike Festival in Misano Adriatico in September 2024, “Le Vie del Bike” was introduced with the goal of creating and promoting cycling routes throughout Italy.

The Marche region, as the leading region and promoter of “Active Tourism,” oversaw the mapping of these routes to encourage sustainable and outdoor tourism.


The main objective is to make accessible the many cycling paths and bike trails—some of which are lesser-known—that traverse Italy. This not only promotes the discovery of the country’s natural, cultural, and gastronomic heritage but also encourages physical activity. The bicycle, therefore, becomes both a tool for exploration and a means to improve one’s health and fitness.

Cycle Tourism to Discover Italy

FVG3 Manzano photo by Devis Solerti
Friuli Venezia Giulia, FVG3 Manzano photo by Devis Solerti

The project offers an experience that goes beyond mere cycling. The routes are designed to fully immerse travelers in Italy’s landscapes—from stunning coastal views to countryside rich with vineyards and olive groves, all the way to mountain trails with breathtaking vistas.



Each route is a journey that takes cyclists on an adventure to discover a lesser-known Italy. Along the way, they encounter picturesque villages, castles, hidden beaches, and secluded coves, in a perfect blend of sport, nature, and culture.

Key Figures: “le vie del BIKE”

Peccioli
Peccioli

Thanks to the mapping work carried out by a team of professionals, coordinated by Mauro Fumagalli for Miconi srl, three cycling routes were identified for each of Italy’s 20 regions. In total, the project mapped 63 bike routes, covering about 9,180 km and a total elevation gain of 57,000 meters.

Here are the key figures of the project:

  • 20 Regions mapped

  • 63 downloadable route files with photos and videos

  • – 9,180 km ridden

  • – 57,000 meters of elevation gain

  • – 21,000 km traveled by van

  • 52 hotels and agriturismi visited

  • 82 “trattorie” and “osterie” discovered

In addition, the project involved 1 photographer/videographer, 1 secretary assistant, and 1 graphic designer. The routes were cycled by 1 cyclist over the course of 7 months. Along the way, there were 10 flat tires, 2 tire replacements, 3 jars of mineral salts consumed, and 250 water bottles used.

These numbers demonstrate not only the scope of the project but also its impact in highlighting local communities and promoting slow tourism.

A Strategy for Active and Sustainable Tourism

Green Way of the Trabocchi Coast, credits Abruzzo Region
Green Way of the Trabocchi Coast, credits Abruzzo Region

“Le Vie del Bike” is part of a broader tourism promotion strategy, the result of a program agreement between the Ministry of Tourism and the Commission for Tourism Policies—coordinated by the Abruzzo Region—of the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, in collaboration with ENIT (National Tourism Agency).



The lead regions are Emilia-Romagna, Umbria, Marche, and Abruzzo, each responsible for promoting a specific theme (villages, slow tourism, active tourism, nature, and parks).

Meanwhile, Tuscany, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Campania—also partners in the project—focus respectively on gastronomy, golf, and underwater archaeological tourism routes.

Regional Collaboration

“Le Vie del Bike” is more than just a cycling project; it demonstrates the importance of regional collaboration. The regions are finally coming together with a clear, unified goal: to invite travelers to discover Italy from a fresh perspective—that of the bicycle.


In a country where coordination is often a challenge, this project represents a crucial first step in developing a new approach to Italian cycle tourism.