Parallel session 2.2
Engaging the locals in recreational and cycling tourism
📆 Tuesday 24 September
🕑 14:00-15:30
📍 Main hall
🎤 Panel discussion
It is crucial to make the local inhabitants aware of cycling initiatives such as EuroVelo. Involving and engaging the locals, for example, through volunteering, is important in the development, maintenance, and usage of cycle routes, and it is reflected in the visitor’s experience. Similarly, cycling offers can improve the quality of life and overall image of a locality and benefit the local economy. The session will share inspiring stories and examples.
David Lecointre 🇨🇦
President
Association des réseaux cyclables du Québec
David Lecointre is president of the association of Quebec cycling networks (ARCQ) since 2022. Belgian living in Quebec since 2000, he manages the “Véloroute des Bleuets” since 2007. The Veloroute des bleuets is a cycling circuit that loops 256 kilometres around Lake Saint-Jean.
Alessandra Tormene 🇮🇹
National Councillor
FIAB Italia
Alessandra Tormene has worked in international relations for over three decades. She has promoted relations between between the European institutions and the citizens and has managed their participation in several EU projects. She is FIAB National Councillor and EuroVelo contact.
Hans Stoops 🇸🇪
Advocacy Officer
IMBA Europe
Hans supports the International Mountain Bicyclists’ Association Europe’s work across the continent with advocacy, access, and policy. He is a board member of the Swedish ECF member Cykelfrämjandet, where he previously worked with projects related to recreational cycling and tourism. He also serves on the board of the Warmshowers Foundation.
Tibor Polgar 🇭🇺
Director for Strategy
Westpannon Regional and Economic Development Public Nonprofit
I have been involved in EU Funds management in Hungary for 15 years. In the last 12 years I have been working in the nonprofit sector. At Westpannon Agency, I coordinated lead partner tasks of several transnational projects. Many of them are about cycling policy development, working closely with ECF on developing EuroVelo 13, the Iron Curtain Trail.
Marie Secrétant 🇧🇪
Tourism and Event Manager
Pro Velo
As responsible for tourism and event at Pro Velo in Belgium, I have more than 12 years of experience in the sustainable tourism sector with about 3 years working at the European level in social economy cooperatives. I am member of the EuroVelo Council since 2021, which allows me to have a global view on the EuroVelo network, and of the sustainable tourism. Within Pro Velo, I am recently in charge of Pro Velo’s strategy to encourage Brussels people who are non-cyclists to get on their bikes for a daily use, applying an approach to specific neighbourhoods or publics. I am administrator in 3 different tourism organisations in Brussels of different sizes and goals and more especially, for the Brussels tourism public institution called visit.brussels but also non-profit organisations promoting Brussels for locals and tourists (Explore Brussels, Zinneguides). My priority and objective? To make cycling accessible to low income people for a daily or recreational use.