Bike Island Fyn – a UCI Bike Region

The Island of Fyn, which was awarded the UCI Bike Region label in 2017, is a prime example of a Danish region utilizing elite cycling as a tool to drive greater everyday cycling among tourists and locals alike with its Bike Island Fyn strategy.

By Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)

Copenhagen is famous around the world as a cycling capital, inspiring city leaders to look towards the bicycle as an integral part of the transportation mix. Nevertheless, the Danish island of Fyn is not only making strides in advancing the role of the bicycle as an everyday transport mode, but also connecting elite and leisure cycling to unlock positive socio-economic development.

Strategy, routes & cycling culture

Awarded the UCI Bike Region label in 2017, the Island of Fyn boasts over 1200km of cycle paths on the island and its wider archipelago. With a rural and coastal character, this bike-friendly region is well placed to attract cycle tourists. The centerpiece of the region’s bike network is the N8 Baltic Sea Route. Across 820km, this figure-of-eight-shaped route takes riders across Southern Denmark – from west to east, and vice-versa, with the historic town of Svendbord as the central meeting point. The route is designed to open the wider Danish archipelago to cycle tourism, taking scenic coastal roads, and passing key tourist attractions.

Supported through a strategic partnership between local and national tourism and transportation organisations, the N8 route can serve as an example of best practice to other regions interested in advancing their cycle tourism markets.

Opened in 2018, the fully signposted N8 route stretches across 820km of bike friendly paths © Visitfyn

Bike Island Fyn

Fyn recognises the potential that cycle tourism can bring to regional development. That is why the Bike Island concept has been developed to serve as a gateway to attract potential visitors interested in the Island’s cycling credentials.

Underpinning work is the joint Bike Island 2020 strategy, which was launched by Fyn and neighbouring islands Langeland and Ærø.

The aim of the strategy is to become the most attractive cycle holiday destination in northern Europe by 2020

By improving the cycle tourism market, it is believed the Island’s economy can generate additional revenues of almost €27m.

Elite synergies – 2019 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships

The Region has a burgeoning cycle tourism market, and Odense – the largest city on the island – is already considered a leading bike-friendly destination. Fyn is also committed to connecting elite events with wider cycling promotion activities.

While hosting the 2019 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Bogense was inspiring in itself, a programme for the public was developed to ensure the event left a wider cycling legacy.

A link with the local ‘Cycle School’ and ‘Schoolyard Cycling’ initiatives was a priority. During the four years leading up to the event, 12,000 school children have participated in the Cycle School programme, introducing them to the skills needed to ride with safety and confidence.

A further 3,000 children benefited from the Schoolyard Cycling programme. In the weeks ahead of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, the programme focused on the discipline of cyclo-cross, introducing participants to the technical skills behind the sport.

The day before the event, a Kids’ Race was organised for children aged between two and 15. A cyclo-cross course was opened close to the site of the Championships, and free training sessions were organised during the elite event.

Hosted in the seaside town of Bogense, the 2019 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships helped to further drive excitement for cycling in the region © Visitfyn

Key elite events in Fyn:

• Fyn played host to the 2019 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, which were held in the coastal town of Bogense on 2 and 3 February 2019. With a course incorporating Fyn’s iconic coastline, the hosting of the event was closely linked to Fyn’s cycling development efforts.
• The Fyen Rundt – a UCI 1.1 single day race – takes place across the island, finishing in the city of Odense. First held in 1894, it is one of the oldest races in the world, and on race-day brings out a festival atmosphere across the island.

The island of Fyn regularly plays host to stages of the Tour of Denmark.

Sharing best practice

Fyn provides a prime example of a region utilising cycling not only for sustainable mobility, but as a tool for development and wellbeing. The Bike Island Fyn concept can be a source of inspiration for regions around the world. Bike Island Fyn strategy.