Right in the middle of Dutch Cycling Week, from September 30 through October 2, 2026, Utrecht will welcome international guests: the EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference will be held at Supernova, Jaarbeurs. For Dutch Cycling Week, this is no coincidence but rather a confirmation. In the same week that we showcase what cycling brings to the city and province, the rest of Europe is coming to us to have exactly that conversation.
More than 400 professionals from some 40 countries are traveling to Utrecht: destination managers, policymakers, route developers, tour operators, transportation companies, accommodation providers, and researchers. The theme of this edition, “At the beating heart of cycling,” could not have been more fitting for our region.
Why Utrecht Is the Natural Choice as Host
Utrecht and its surrounding area are internationally recognized as the world’s number one cycling region, and the city was recently named the best cycling city. That is exactly what Dutch Cycling Week works toward all year long: showing that here, the bicycle isn’t just an addition to the streetscape, but the very foundation of it. A conference focused on how cycling—as a mode of transportation, a leisure activity, and a driver of tourism—can continue to grow is therefore right at home here. It is organized by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), in collaboration with EuroVelo, Jaarbeurs, Utrecht & Partners, the Province of Utrecht, and the City of Utrecht.
In recent years, cycling tourism and route development have proven to be an attractive and sustainable means of destination marketing, regional economic growth, and stimulating local business activity. This makes this conference just as relevant for Utrecht itself as it is for the rest of Europe—and therefore also for everyone involved in Dutch Cycling Week.
Three days, three themes that resonate with us
The program builds on three subthemes, each of which aligns with what Dutch Cycling Week stands for. The first is multifunctional cycling route networks: how can you combine commuting, recreational cycling, and cycling tourism on the same routes, and what role does EuroVelo play as the backbone for other networks? The second is collaboration: which models—at the international, national, and regional levels—help advance routes, destinations, and public-private partnerships? The third revolves around innovation: what opportunities do AI and digitization offer for marketing, accessibility, and linking cycling to health, education, and the environment?
The program itself is also spread over three days. On Wednesday, September 30, the EuroVelo General Meeting will take place first, followed by the opening ceremony and a welcome reception. Thursday, October 1, is the day of the main program: keynotes, presentations, parallel sessions, workshops, and a networking dinner, with an exhibition in the center of the conference venue. On Friday, October 2, everyone will hop on their bikes for technical excursions through the Utrecht region, with explanations of cycling routes, infrastructure, and recreational cycling along the way.
The fact that the conference coincides with Dutch Cycling Week gives us an opportunity to increase international attention on Utrecht.
Practical Information
Regular registration for the EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference 2026 is open until September 14.
