Integration and intermodality between two wheels and tracks in a “green” key is increasing
In recent years, Italy has seen a significant expansion of its cycle network, an increase that has accompanied the number of lovers of two wheels, thanks to the growth of leisure and tourism trips and cycle tourism enthusiasts. The bicycle is therefore one of the protagonists of intermodal transport, that is, combining different means such as the train and, in fact, two wheels. A central theme in the activity of Grupo FS led by general manager Luigi Ferraris.
Indeed, integrating the rail offer with other means of transport means being able to offer an uninterrupted travel experience, with door-to-door journeys, the first and last miles, from home to the departure station and vice versa. The train-bicycle combination is certainly the greenest expression in this sense and has a double advantage: experiencing tourism in a slow and sustainable way, but also contributing to territorial development by confirming cycle tourism as a virtuous model to be promoted.
THE INCIDENCE OF CYCLING TOURISM
Taking some data, 2022 recorded more than 33 million presences in Italy among “pure” cyclists and bicycle tourists, generating an estimated economic impact of more than 4 billion euros. The data, taken from the Traveling by bike 2023 report (produced by Isnart for the Observatory of the Tourism Economy of the Chambers of Commerce and promoted with Legambiente), photograph an increasingly generalized trend, from the Alps to the Mediterranean, in which even the The train plays a fundamental role: the territorial coverage of the service, the comfort of travel and transport with one of the most ecological vehicles in circulation are the trump cards of an intermodal solution in which the pedals and saddles are loaded before or after having gone through cycle paths and roads .
The “pure” cyclotourist is first and foremost a cyclist and then a tourist whose main motivation is the dimension of riding holidays. It is rarely limited to spending the nights in a single accommodation establishment, but more often it takes itinerant holidays in stages. They are of different ages and choose to travel with a variety of travel agencies: about a third travel as a couple, preferring vacations for two (29.4%); one in four travel alone and 1 in five choose to live a tourist experience with friends in the name of a slow, intense and exciting journey. The “bicyclist”, in turn, is the tourist who uses the bicycle to get around and get to know the region, basically renting the vehicle on the spot. The use of a bicycle can be functional in different contexts: visiting the historic center and traveling to neighboring places (villages, vineyards, places of worship, etc.) of particular importance. They may also have complementary motivations related to practicing sports and keeping fit. These two figures are joined, in a residual way, by the “cycle-excursionist” who uses the bicycle to visit a place not far from his usual home and enjoy the landscape. This type of traveler also travels by bicycle on the train, but can also choose to rent one at the destination.
THE SUSTAINABLE CONTRIBUTION OF THE TRAIN
To support these tourism models, Trenitalia has decided to support the integration with means of transport with a low environmental impact, also investing in trains, in order to offer more and more space for bicycles on trains, confirming the sustainable footprint, on an environmental and social level. . On all Trenitalia trains – Regionale, Intercity and Frecciarossa – each passenger can take their own bicycle for free, as long as it is folded or disassembled. On Regional and Intermunicipal Day trains it is possible to transport a mounted bicycle.
Between Regional, Intercity and Eurocity, around 26,000 bike racks are available every day in spaces equipped with many amenities, developed in collaboration with FIAB. A number destined to grow also thanks to the renewal of the fleet that foresees the arrival of new, more modern and efficient trains.
Among them are the Regional Rock, Pop and Blues trains: technologically advanced vehicles for comfort and sustainability that have more spaces for bicycles: the Rocks accommodate up to 21 bicycles, the Pops and Blues up to 12, depending on the different configurations present in the different regions . The protagonist of bicycle transport on Intercity trains is “carrozza 3”, where you can hang your bicycle vertically and there are also charging points for e-bikes.
THE INITIATIVES OF TRENITALIA
The link between Trenitalia and the world of bicycles is confirmed by a series of activities carried out by the leading company of the FS Group Passenger Hub. Firstly, participation as a protagonist in the Giro d’Italia. This year, Trenitalia was the official green carrier of the Giro d’Italia and all the Grand Classics for the fourth year and participated with its own team in the Giro-E, also bringing the “Trofeo Senza Fine” on board the Frecciarossa, the ‘ Intercity and Regional with a dedicated film that accompanied the tour in three stages in Abruzzo, Tuscany and Liguria.
Trenitalia is also bringing its smooth mobility experience to events such as Puglia Bike Destination: a moment of discussion with entities, institutions and professionals in the sector for the development of sustainable cycle tourism. The objective is to promote green mobility that is increasingly integrated with means of transport that have a low environmental impact, because a trip that combines train and two wheels is certainly a different and stimulating experience, but also a way to make territories grow.
Source: IL Tempo
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
