INTER BIKE III
Policy objective: PO4 - A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights
Specific objective: SO 6 - enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation
Typology: Capitalization project
The Inter Bike III project transferred good practices in the development of cycling tourism along the Adriabike cycle route (Kranjska Gora-Ravenna) from the previous two projects of the same name to the new areas of Brkini and the Torre and Natisone river valleys. The D7 (Robič-Jelšane) and FVG3 (Ciclovia Pedemontana) cycle routes run through these two areas, where a new tourist product, the Alpina Mediterranean cycle route, has been developed. In addition, the project has upgraded the cycling infrastructure in the cross-border area with new rental bikes and e-charging stations, improved the tourist offer, and established the management of the Alpina Mediterranean route. In this way, it aims to enable cyclists to enjoy a pleasant ride from Friuli, through Slovenia, to Kvarner. The project has also introduced and tested new transport services for cyclists - a trial bus line between Ajdovščina and Cividale del Friuli and between the Vipava Valley and Predmeja, and introduced two boat lines along the Caorle Lagoon and the Lemene River. In the Coastal-Karst region, based on a study of public passenger transport, there are plans to improve public bus and rail passenger transport, which should also become more cyclist-friendly.
- INTER BIKE III, like the previous two projects of the same name, has contributed to the development of cycling tourism in the cross-border area.
- It has improved cycling infrastructure.
- It has enriched the range of services for cyclists.
- It increases the visibility of the cross-border area as a cycling destination, in particular the D7 long-distance cycle route between Robič and Jelšane, which has been defined on the map.
- It aims at more efficient public bus and rail passenger transport in the Obalno-Kraška region, which should also include bicycle transport options.
Alpina Mediterranean
New cycling tourism product – 300 km long Alpina Mediterranean cycle route from Venzone to Opatija, presented on the upgraded website www.bike-alpeadria.eu.
Photo: Matevž Hribar, GoodPlace
Bike and Bus (BiciBus)
Pilot services for passenger and bicycle transport by bus and van on the Ajdovščina-Cividale del Friuli and Vipava Valley-Predmeja routes tested in the summer of 2025.
Photo - confluence of the rivers Soča and Tolminka: Bojan Šenkinc
E-boat
An electric boat with auxiliary petrol engines has been built to transport up to 25 people and bicycles, which operates on new sea routes in the Caorle Lagoon and on the Lemene River, thereby shortening the journey through the lagoon and along the GiraLemene cycle route.
Pier
A new wooden pier has been built on the Lemene River in Cavanella in the Municipality of Concordia Sagittaria to accommodate boats operating on the route from Caorle to the inland areas. The pier’s construction enables a combination of two forms of sustainable travel along the Adriabike cross-border cycle route - by bike and by boat.
Rent e-bike
Bicycles for hire at tourist information centers in Ilirska Bistrica and San Pietro al Natisone. A new bike rental point has been set up in Portogruaro.
E-charging stations
Three new charging stations for e-bikes in Brkini – at the tourist information center and on the town square in Ilirska Bistrica and in Trpčane as well as a bike washing station in Ilirska Bistrica.
Study on public passanger transport
A Study on public passenger transport in domestic and international road and rail transport in the Coastal-Karst region. The study serves as a basis for negotiations with the state to improve bus and rail lines in the region.
Study summary-SI Study summary-IT
Cross-border cooperation
Another noteworthy impact of the Inter Bike project is cross-border cooperation. The “long-standing” partnerships, which date back to 2011 when the first Inter Bike project began, are joined in each subsequent project by new partners who forge new ties and achieve new results. The partnership of the third project presented its joint achievements to the public at an event dedicated to the transfer of best practices in the field of cycling tourism, at two cross-border events, and at several local workshops. The transfer of good practices between the Slovenian and Italian sides took place in Ajdovščina on April 4, 2024. The first cross-border event was organized on June 20, 2025, along the new Alpina Mediterranean Cycle Route, where participants were able to cycle along various sections of the route in a single day. The second cross-border event took place on September 18, 2025, in the Caorle Lagoon and along the Lemene River. The Italian partners presented a new boat and a bridge in Cavanella.
