A €6.5 million program

Developing bicycle tourism with ADEME support

The “Développer le vélotourisme” program, launched in November 2022 by ADEME with a budget of 6.5 million euros over 3 years, aims to support tourism players and local authorities in the development of cycle routes and services dedicated to cycling tourists.

A program to enhance the attractiveness of our regions

Cycling stands out from the crowd, offering a different way of discovering our natural and cultural heritage. The transformation of tourism trends is being confirmed, with visitor figures for cycling itineraries recording a boom and confirming tourists’ growing interest in sustainable vacations.

The program is aimed at: a tourist office, a tourist site, a restaurant, a tourist accommodation, a local authority or a structure representing it, a structure representing an itinerary committee.

Key figures:

22 million French people cycle on vacation
EuroVelo itineraries are expected to increase by 11% between 2021 and 2022.
Average spending per day by cycling tourists is estimated at €68, or +24% compared to the average spending by tourists in France.

“Develop bicycle tourism” is a funding program that will interest you if you want to :

Increase the attractiveness of your region
Strengthen your economic development
Make your projects part of a sustainable tourism approach

Thanks to the “Développer le vélotourisme” program, ADEME can help you finance the equipment and services favored by bicycle tourists, as well as studies. In 2024, the program is enriched: the catalog of equipment eligible for financing has been expanded, and the procedures simplified.

All about the ADEME program

Extending the program to 2024

ADEME’s “Développer le vélotourisme” program will continue until the end of 2024 to support tourist operators wishing to

to obtain the Accueil Vélo label, or to improve the quality of reception at establishments already listed.

These changes to the program will make it easier for project sponsors to get their projects off the ground from the start of 2024!

Eligibility criteria have been made more flexible, particularly for part 1, where the date of construction of the facility is no longer a determining criterion.
Certain aid ceilings have been re-evaluated. This applies to bicycle shelters (section 1) and luggage lockers (sections 1 & 2).
It is now possible to combine grants
New, much-appreciated equipment can be promoted
- For section 1: self-inflation terminal, repair terminal, multi-function terminal
- For section 2: the list of optional additional equipment has been extended to include: inflation bays, self-repair bays, multi-function bays, secure luggage lockers, signposting for service areas or remote facilities, tourist signage – RIS, shade for picnic tables if there is no natural shade, vegetation,
- And ancillary work (lump-sum) can be valued: civil engineering work, water network connection, electrical network connection,

How do I qualify?
To benefit from the scheme, you need to submit an application for assistance on the Agir platform: https: //agirpourlatransition.ademe.fr/entreprises/aides-financieres/2023/developper-velotourisme

Note: to be eligible, projects must request a minimum of €400 in total funding.

Application deadline: August 31, 2024.

Program developments since May 2023

Strand 1: Supporting deployment of the “Accueil Vélo©” brand

Accommodation and restaurant operators are now eligible for funding for bicycle parking solutions, which until now had been reserved for tourist offices, tourist sites and river stops.
Tier 1 also extends its beneficiaries to establishments already holding the Accueil Vélo© label, which were initially ineligible for the program.

Part 2: Setting up service areas along the routes

In addition to the 4 mandatory facilities required for a service area (picnic table, bicycle parking, drinking water point and sanitary facilities), the program can now finance maintenance terminals (self-repair, inflation, etc.) and luggage lockers.

Section 3: Co-financing studies

Beneficiaries: no longer limited to structures representing a route committee.Concerning eligible itineraries: they must be included in the national or regional plan, a regional scale which until now has not been included in the program. Concerning the type of study that can be carried out: although not exhaustive, the list below gives some examples of studies that can be funded:

Feasibility study to build or complete sections of route
Study to improve the safety of existing roads (installation of infrastructure, modification of roads)
Study to propose or improve road markings
Study to assess, manage and take into account climatic hazards
Quality audit or certification
Inventory of services and facilities
Inventory and recommendations on intermodality
Study of service opportunities (bike center, concierge service, etc.)
Marketing strategy study – Communication plan

Program composition

Strand 1: Support the deployment of the “Accueil Vélo©” brand

Support investment by tourist offices, tourist sites and river stops, classified tourist accommodation and restaurants located within 5 km of an itinerary included in a scheme, by deploying bicycle parking, with a view to obtaining the “Accueil Vélo©” label.

Part 2: Developing service areas

Support public players in creating service areas along cycle routes.

Component 3: co-finance studies

Focuses on routes included in the National Scheme or a regional scheme.

I want to see the help in detail, I'm a ...

Develop bicycle tourism and become a Accueil vélo

Your establishment is promoted around cycling routes.
A page presenting your establishment on the France Vélo Tourisme website.
Your establishment listed in bicycle topoguides: when a topoguide is published or updated, France Vélo Tourisme provides the list of Accueil Vélo establishments to the following publishers: Chamina, Esterbauer Bikeline (Austrian publisher), Glénat, Hachette Le Routard, Ouest France.
Visibility through partner websites and partnerships: as a Accueil Vélo, your establishment is visible on specific pages and documents published by regions, départements (on the www.visitlimousin.com website) or tourist offices. At the same time, France Vélo Tourisme aims to develop visibility partnerships with tourism platforms, along the lines of what has been done forbicycle rental and repair companies with the SNCF.
A web module for your establishment (on request): a Accueil Vélo web module is available on request (see guide) to all members of the brand. It enables you to promote your establishment by geolocating it on the section of the itinerary on which you are located.

Find out more about the Accueil Vélo brand

Your contact!

Julie Froment-Fages

Market place referent, hiking and roaming

Send an email 05 55 79 72 45