The Directorate and Swedish National Cycling Advocacy Organisation signed a partnership agreement for implementation of the project «Trans-Baltic Cycling Route».
The project is financed by the Swedish Institute and is aimed at development of a strategy for creation of a tourist bicycle route in the Baltic Sea Region, as well as formation of a consortium of partners who will work together on development of sustainable tourism practices in rural areas. It is planned that the route will go through Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Russia. The starting point will be in Stockholm and the end - in Saint Petersburg.
Considering Directorate's successful experience in implementation of the international project "Cycling", it was invited by the project initiators to join the project team as a consultant from the Russian side. The result of collaboration among partners representing each country along the route will be the determined optimal route that will introduce cycling tourists to the main attractions in the every region, taking into account infrastructure and services for cyclists. In addition, interested parties will be determined. The project results will form the ground for further development of the strategy of creation of the Trans-Baltic Cycling Route.
On the 3rd of December, 2021 the Directorate took part in the first online project meeting with partners and invited speakers. Project partners got acquainted with the main trends of cycling tourism in Europe and key factors for successful cycling route development, that were introduced by the senior lector of the University of Central Lancashire Richard Weston. Junior expert of Investment Policy and PPP Unit of the Directorate Maria Lelchuk took part in a workshop on determination of obstacles on the way of development of the bicycle route and stakeholders in each participating country.