Baltic Biking UPGRADE at Velo-city 2025 in Gdańsk – a shared vision for a cycling Baltic Sea region

The Velo-city 2025 international conference in Gdańsk was not only a global celebration of cycling, but also an excellent opportunity to meet the partners of the Baltic Biking UPGRADE (BBU) project, funded by the Interreg South Baltic program, which aims to develop and promote long-distance cycling tourism along the Baltic coast.

BBU project stand – a center for cooperation and inspiration

During the four-day conference, BBU project partners were present with their own project stand, which became a place for intensive discussions, meetings, promotion, and sharing experiences. The stand, run jointly by the Pomorskie Tourist Board (project leader) and partners from Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania, and Finland, was visited by many guests, from cycling tourism experts to representatives of European and national institutions.

Among the active participants in the project meetings and those present at the stand were partners from:

• Pomorskie Tourist Board (PROT) – Poland (project leader)

• West Pomeranian Tourist Board – Poland
• Danish Cycling Tourism (Dansk Cykelturisme) – Denmark
• Cykelfrämjandet – Swedish Cycling Advocacy Organisation – Sweden
• European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) – Belgium
• and an expert collaborating with the Blekinge Region – Sweden

Associate partners were also present, including representatives of the Pomorskie Province, the West Pomorskie Province, The Finnish Center for Cycling Tourism – Bikeland, the Polish Tourist Organization (POT) – whose Vice President visited our stand, supporting the activities of BBU and other initiatives related to cycling tourism.

BBU on stage – participation in a panel discussion led by the ECF

The strong presence of the BBU project was also evident during the conference’s thematic sessions. Magda Leszczyna-Rzucidło, representing the Pomorskie Tourist Board and acting as Coordinator of the EUSBSR Tourism Thematic Area, took part as a panelist in the discussion entitled “Overcoming challenges in EU-funded projects,” led by Goran Lepen from the European Cyclists’ Federation. In her speech, Magda shared her experiences from the implementation of the BBU project, including those related to the management of international partnerships, effective communication with stakeholders, and the planning of dissemination activities.

Thanks to this session, the Baltic Biking UPGRADE project was presented as an example of a successful and integrated international cycling project that combines infrastructure activities with promotion, education, and sustainable mobility policy.

Wideo-relacje z partnerami – głos regionów Bałtyku

Korzystając z obecności wszystkich partnerów i ekspertów w jednym miejscu, przygotowaliśmy serię krótkich wideo-wywiadów, w których nasi partnerzy opowiedzieli:

• • czym zajmuje się ich organizacja w projekcie BBU,

• • jaka jest ich rola i wkład w rozwój trasy rowerowej wokół Bałtyku,

• • co sądzą o konferencji Velo-city 2025 w Gdańsku i dlaczego warto uczestniczyć w takich wydarzeniach.

Powstał materiał, który oddaje atmosferę współpracy i pasji do rozwoju turystyki rowerowej w regionie. Zachęcamy do obejrzenia efektów nagrań tutaj:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FsBuDhxu4

Baltic Biking UPGRADE is more than just a project—it is a shared vision of the Baltic Sea region as an accessible, friendly, and sustainable cycling destination that connects people, countries, and values. Our participation in Velo-city 2025 confirmed that we are well on our way to making this goal a reality.