29 July 2023 marks the start of the fourth edition of Vëlosummer, a nationwide summer cycling-tourism initiative. Whether you're a pro cyclist, lover of the great outdoors, or a fan of out-of-the-ordinary events: look no further! The Vëlosummer with its 500 kilometres of cycling routes is full of local colour and atmosphere.
Presented as a flagship project by Lex Delles (Minister for Tourism) and François Bausch (Minister for Mobility and Public Works), Vëlosummer has had the same goal for four years now, namely to give residents and visitors the opportunity to discover Luxembourg's multitude of tourist attractions — and to (re)discover the joys of cycling.
Launched by the General Directorate for Tourism and the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works, Vëlosummer 2023 will take place from 29 July to 27 August. Several cycling-tourism routes have been designed in close collaboration with local authorities, regional tourist offices, and the National Road Administration. Visitors and residents will be able to explore over 500 kilometres of cycling routes located in different parts of the country. The routes were chosen based on a number of criteria, i.e., they must be inter-municipal, as well as being suitable for different age groups and all types of bicycles.
Some 58 municipalities, natural parks, and regional tourist offices responded to the call for projects for the 2023 edition, enabling them to showcase their region's tourist attractions. "This fourth edition promises to be full of surprises. We've designed four new routes out of the twelve on offer for sports enthusiasts, families, or biking enthusiasts looking for a nice and comfortable ride" explains Lex Delles, Minister for Tourism.
Out of these twelve routes, eight will take place over one or more weekends, while four will be accessible for the entire month. "For the first time, Vëlosummer offers keen cyclists the opportunity to cross the Belgian and French borders," adds François Bausch, Minister for Mobility and Public Works.
In addition to showcasing our country's attractions, Vëlosummer also promotes environmentally friendly tourism. This initiative involves giving priority to cyclists on the roads, as well as signposting the various cycle routes.
The signs are sustainable as the materials used are partially recycled, and the signage is much more visible than before. The social responsibility aspect doesn't stop there — the wood recuperated from the old signposts has been given a second life and is used to build regular and nesting boxes.
The routes are suitable for different audiences — sports enthusiasts, hikers, families, etc. Information and details about each route are available on the VisitLuxembourg website or on the VisitLuxembourg app — your handy travel companion. Download it free of charge from Google Play or the App Store.
The Vëlosummer 2023 map, which is available on the website, shows details of all the routes, restaurants, accommodation options, bicycle services (cleaning, repair, and recharging stations), and points of interest along the way. Simply download the PDF or have it sent free of charge to your home address.
It also gives information about the type of experience — nature, culture, or both — as well as details of each route, e.g., shortest round-trip, routes including a train journey, the steepness of routes, as well as tips and advice for families.
The website also includes information about upcoming events, as well as entertainment and food options along the routes. There's no way you'll get lost!
Several handy services are offered to make visitors' lives easier. "bed+bike" certified accommodation options, offering free bike storage, are listed on the website, while Move We Carry offers to transport cyclists' luggage from one accommodation to the next.
If you're worried about not having access to a bike, put your mind at ease: Cycles can be rented at Rent a Bike locations throughout the country.
A new feature on the VisitLuxembourg app is sure to appeal to the more playful and competitive participants. "VisitLuxembourg Challenges" invites cyclists to check-in at various points of interest and collect as many points as possible for a chance to win great prizes.
This year's edition is shaping up nicely with its exclusive features and offers and we're hoping for the same success as Vëlosummer 2022. Close to 30,000 people took part last year — that's 123,300 clicks on the website and 392 photos posted on social networks! These figures are so impressive that they're spurring us on to do even better for this fourth edition. Why not come along for the ride?
