Lack of information and inconsistency in cycling services, as well as insufficient coordination between institutions and stakeholders: these are the challenges that the CycleProMotion project, in which EGTC GO is a partner, aims to address. The CycleProMotion project officially started with a kick-off meeting held on July 2, 2025, in Nova Gorica, at the premises of the lead partner, the Regional Development Agency (RRA) of Northern Primorska d.o.o.

The meeting offered partners the opportunity to discuss the technical details of the project and upcoming steps, with a particular focus on the installation of smart stations. The CycleProMotion project is co-financed by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia 2021–2027 Programme and involves six partners: in addition to the lead partner RRA Northern Primorska d.o.o., there are PromoTurismo FVG, EGTC GO, BSC Business Support Centre d.o.o. Kranj – Regional Development Agency of Gorenjska, Goriška Local Energy Agency (GOLEA) Nova Gorica, and the Local Action Group (LAG) Karst. Associated project partners include the Central Directorate for Infrastructure and Territory – Service for Transport Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the municipalities of Kobarid and Kranjska Gora, and the Cycling Federation of Slovenia (KZS). EGTC GO was represented at the event by Deputy Director Tomaž Konrad and Project Manager Micaela Passon.

The general objective of CycleProMotion is to strengthen the role of sustainable tourism in the cross-border ITA–SLO area by developing and promoting a shared tourism product that encourages slow mobility and cycle tourism, and by connecting four information centres along the border. In doing so, the project aims to contribute to social inclusion and economic development in the area. Four strategic points – pilot sites – will be established along the main cycling mobility routes running along the north-south axis of the border:

• Northern section of the border: TARVISIO–KRANJSKA GORA (reference partner: BSC KRANJ);

• Central section: ROBIČ (reference partner: GOLEA);

• Central section: GORIZIA–NOVA GORICA (reference partner: EGTC GO);

• Southern section: KARST (reference partner: GAL CARSO).

Each pilot site will have a smart station installed by the respective reference partner, offering users e-bike charging, secure storage via app-access lockers, and access to various information (e.g., local cycling routes, connections to major European cycling corridors, available intermodal transport links, and nearby tourist attractions) through Wi-Fi, screens, and smart station tools. EGTC GO will be responsible for installing the smart station at pilot site no. 3, which will be located within the territory of the three EGTC municipalities, and will also coordinate all partners in the selection, definition, and positioning of the smart stations, to ensure visual and content harmonization. The next steps will involve identifying the exact locations for the smart stations and defining their design.

In addition, based on an analysis of existing cycling mobility plans, the project will develop a plan for the installation of directional signage along the border, and a strategic communication plan aimed at promoting the cross-border area as a single cycling tourism destination. To support communication efforts, a cross-border festival and six additional events will be organized, all focused on the theme of cycle tourism, to promote cycling as a form of green mobility and healthy recreation. Partners are also committed to engaging cross-border stakeholders through a participatory process, aimed at enhancing their competencies in the tourism sector and promoting the exchange of experiences and best practices.