Utrecht has extensive experience in organizing guided tours, excursions, and professional visits for cycling experts. For EuroVelo, we will place a stronger emphasis on cycling tourism, recreational cycling, and the routes designed for these purposes. However, we expect that many visitors will also be interested in Utrecht’s ‘general’ cycling highlights.

In consultation with the ECF team and the partners involved in this bid, we will develop the final program. Below are some suggested activities:

Guided Cycling Excursions

• Exploring the New EuroVelo 15 Route – A guided ride along the completely renewed EuroVelo 15 route, with insights into the design process, collaborating partners, and its focus on enhanced user experience, landscape integration, cultural and historical sites (such as the Limes, the northern border of the Roman Empire, and the Dutch Waterline fortresses), as well as communication and promotion strategies.
• Discovering Utrecht’s Updated Cycle Node Network – A tour explaining the renewed cycle node network, demonstrating how routes interconnect throughout the region.
• Cycling Safari Through Utrecht – A ride past key cycling landmarks, including:
  • The world’s largest bike parking facility
  • The impressive Daphne Schippers cycling bridge
  • The Netherlands’ first-ever cycling path (1885)

Social & Recreational Cycling Activities

• Cycle Hub De Maarschalk – A guided visit showcasing social and inclusive cycling projects, including the City Deal “Cycling for Everyone,” the Bike Kitchen initiative, and the cycling café, which caters to cycling clubs and sports cyclists.
• Bike Dating – A unique networking experience: participants cycle through Utrecht, stopping at key city landmarks, and switching riding partners at each stop—an informal way to meet fellow attendees while discovering the city.
• Company Visit: OV-Fiets – A behind-the-scenes look at NS’s highly successful OV-Fiets rental system, which facilitates seamless train-bike-train travel.
• Company Visit: Bicycle & Cargo Bike Factories – A visit to a bike manufacturer (e.g., Popal) or a cargo bike factory (e.g., Fulpra) to learn about Dutch bicycle production and innovation.

Specialized Infrastructure & Cycling Development Tours

• Cycling Infrastructure & Sustainability Tour – A deep dive into route development, sustainable infrastructure, and wayfinding, featuring visits to leading consultancies such as Witteveen+Bos and Sweco, which specialize in urban livability and cycling infrastructure design.
• Bike & Boat Excursion Along the River Vecht – A unique experience combining cycling and boating along historic castles and country estates from the Dutch Golden Age, with a cycling segment through the iconic polder landscape.

Sport & Adventure Cycling

• Mountain Biking in Lage Vuursche or Utrechtse Heuvelrug – An off-road adventure organized by SportUtrecht, exploring the forests and nature reserves of the region.
• Reliving Utrecht’s Grand Tour Stages – A sporty ride following the routes of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, or Vuelta stages hosted in Utrecht, organized by Central Events, specialists in recreational and sporting cycling events.

Cultural & Historical Site Visits

• Rietveld Schröder House – A UNESCO-listed architectural masterpiece by Gerrit Rietveld.
• Museum Catharijne Convent – Exploring Utrecht’s rich religious and cultural heritage.
• Railway Museum – Showcasing the Netherlands’ historic connection between cycling and train travel.
• DomUnder – An underground journey through Utrecht’s Roman and medieval history, including a visit to the archaeological remains beneath Dom Square.

Dutch Cycling Culture

• Visit to or presentation by FietsersMuseum, an initiative exploring the success and essence of the Dutch cycling DNA.
• Screening of the film When We Cycle, showcasing Dutch cycling culture: When We Cycle
  Trailer: Watch Trailer (Subtitles available in multiple languages)
• Screening of the earlier documentary in the same series, Why We Cycle, featuring Gertjan Hulster, Arne Gielen, cycling professor Marco te Brömmelstroet, and Jeroen Dirks: Why We Cycle
  Trailer: Watch Trailer (Subtitles available in multiple languages)

Guided Walking Tours

A guided city walk offers a comprehensive way to explore Utrecht’s rich history and key landmarks. The Utrecht Hotspots tour, led by professional guides, features:

• The iconic Dom Tower climb 465 steps to enjoy panoramic views of the city.
• The picturesque Oudegracht canal with its unique wharfs and cellars.
• Historic churches, charming alleyways, and hidden architectural gems.

In addition to these suggestions, we are open to exploring other technical visits based on the program, ECF’s preferences, and any ideas that emerge in the lead-up to the event.