🚴‍♂️ Cycling Tourism in Italy: A Boom in Visitors and Record Economic Impact – “Viaggiare con la bici 2025” Report

Cycling tourism is proving to be one of the strongest and most promising trends in Italian tourism. The latest report, “Viaggiare con la bici 2025”, published by ISNART in collaboration with Legambiente, tells a story of remarkable growth, new travel habits, and tangible benefits for local economies.

📈 89 Million Cycling Tourist Stays: +54% in Just One Year

In 2024 alone, Italy recorded 89 million cycling tourist overnight stays, a staggering 54% increase compared to 2023. Cyclists now account for over 10% of all tourists in the country, confirming this segment as a major pillar of the national tourism economy.

💶 €9.8 Billion: The Economic Power of Slow Travel

The report also highlights a direct economic impact of nearly €10 billion, driven by the higher-than-average spending of cycling tourists and their tendency to travel in low season. This is a form of tourism that not only benefits big cities but brings prosperity to small towns, rural areas, and inland regions.

👥 Who Are These New Cyclists?

The typical cycling tourist is a Millennial (30–44 years old) with solid purchasing power, deeply interested in sustainability, nature, and authentic local experiences. Their main motivations include scenic landscapes, local culture, food & wine, and a slower, more mindful pace of travel.

🛤️ Infrastructure & Opportunity: A More Bike-Friendly Italy

The cycling boom is supported by a growing network of bike paths, well-marked routes, bike-friendly accommodations, and stronger integration with public transport. Municipalities and regional governments are seizing this opportunity to regenerate infrastructure, revive underused buildings, and encourage young entrepreneurship.

🚀 Pedaling Toward a Sustainable Future

As ISNART president Loretta Credaro explains, “cycling tourism is not just a growing niche—it’s a cultural shift that's reshaping how we travel and engage with our landscapes.” Investing in this sector means promoting a tourism model that is more sustainable, better distributed, and deeply respectful of local places and communities.

👉 Have you planned your next cycling adventure? Italy is waiting—on two wheels.