Roztocze, also called “little Tuscany”, is a picturesque region of our country, which stretches from Kraśnik to Lviv and is the sunniest part of Poland. Thanks to funds from the European Union, it will be enriched with new sections of cycling and hiking trails, and existing trails will be renovated.
European funds for the development of bicycle tourism
The need to develop bicycle tourism was noticed already at the stage of work on the preparation of the European Funds for Lublin 2021-2027 program. Investments in support of bicycle infrastructure are provided for in Priority V: Sustainable urban mobility, Measure 5.1 Low-emission urban transport, and in Priority VII: Better access to social and health services, Measure 7.10 Lublin Tourism of the European Funds for Lublin 2021-2027 program.
Key projects implemented in partnership
“Cycling Roztocze. Pedestrian and bicycle paths in urban areas” and “Cycling Roztocze. Pedestrian and bicycle paths in rural areas” are key investments for the region and will be implemented in partnership with municipalities and counties from the Lublin province. The project leader is the Roztocze County-Municipal Association and the project partners will be: Biłgoraj County, Janów County, Kraśnik County, Tomaszów County, Zamość County, Frampol Commune, Józefów Commune, Krasnobród Commune, Lubycza Królewska Commune, Szastarka Commune, the City of Tomaszów Lubelski, the City of Kraśnik, the Commune of Janów Lubelski.
These units will carry out tasks related to the construction and expansion of the bicycle path network in Roztocze.
On July 5, 2024, the 7th meeting of representatives of municipalities and counties from the Lublin province and representatives of the Managing Authority of the European Funds for Lublin program regarding the implementation of the projects in question was held. These meetings have been held cyclically, since August 2023. So far, during the meetings, issues related to the preparation of projects for implementation have been discussed, including the preparation of complete application documentation necessary to submit applications for funding.
– The fact that we are meeting in such a large group of people interested in implementing these projects is the best proof of how important the task ahead of us is – Jarosław Stawiarski, Marshal of the Lublin Voivodeship. – I believe that the leaders of the projects and partners will conscientiously and on time prepare the necessary documentation, thanks to which the residents of our region and tourists will soon benefit from new pedestrian and bicycle paths along with the necessary infrastructure.
The planned deadline for submitting applications for non-competitive funding for both projects is November 2024.
Construction of tourist infrastructure
Project “Cycling Roztocze. Pedestrian and bicycle paths in urban areas” will be implemented by 9 partners under Measure 5.1 Low-emission urban transport. The investment consists of the construction of almost 26 km of pedestrian and bicycle paths in 26 locations. The project will be implemented by 4 poviats: Kraśnik, Janów, Biłgoraj, Zamość and 5 municipalities: Frampol, Józefów, Janów Lubelski, Kraśnik, Tomaszów Lubelski.
In selected locations, 9 charging stations for electric vehicles will be built, including for bicycles and scooters. The investment will also include bicycle parking and bicycle service points equipped with benches and bicycle racks. Information boards, monitoring and lighting in particularly dangerous places will also be installed.
The total value of the project amounts to over EUR 18 million, of which over EUR 15 million are European Funds and over EUR 0.7 million comes from the state budget.
Investments “Cycling Roztocze. Pedestrian and bicycle paths in rural areas” will be implemented by 8 partners under Measure 7.10 Tourist Lublin. In rural areas, the project will be implemented by 5 poviats: Biłgoraj, Janów, Zamość, Tomaszów, Kraśnik and 3 communes: Lubycza Królewska, Józefów and Szastarka. It is planned to create 40 sections of bicycle routes and paths with a total length of approx. 105 km. Cyclist service points equipped with small wooden architecture (shelters, benches, tables, bicycle racks) will also be built, as well as information boards, bicycle repair stations, electric bicycle charging stations, etc.
The total value of the project is over EUR 38 million, of which EUR 32.5 million are EU funds and over EUR 0.7 million comes from the state budget.
Benefits for the region
The promotion and dissemination of bicycle tourism is an excellent way to increase the role of non-motorized transport as an alternative to individual motorized traffic. It also provides additional health benefits resulting from a more active lifestyle. The bicycle is a cheap and emission-free means of transport that is 100% friendly to both the climate and the environment. The planned pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure will be an element of a coherent transport system, as well as a complement to the existing network of bicycle paths in Roztocze.
