Cycling Waterways
Cycling Waterways explores how canals and rivers can play a stronger role in everyday cycling networks. Because waterways often run through cities and connect urban areas, they offer a natural backbone for sustainable mobility.
The project looks at both technical and policy challenges, such as fragmented ownership, differing standards and the multiple roles public authorities play as regulator, owner and builder. By addressing these complexities, Cycling Waterways aims to unlock the full potential of waterways as safe, attractive and well-connected cycling routes.
Rijkswaterstaat joined this project because it directly aligns with its core focus areas. Cycling Waterways strengthens asset management, supports sustainability ambitions, improves the living environment and promotes mission-driven collaboration. Through this international cooperation, RWS helps advance sustainable mobility while reinforcing its role in delivering safe, accessible and future-proof infrastructure.
Uniting Europe’s waterways through cycling
Cycling Waterways brings together six European regions linked by rivers, canals, coastal areas and lakes. Although these regions differ in the extent to which cycling is embedded in policy and practice, they face many of the same challenges. By exchanging experience and expertise, the partners develop practical policy tools that improve the accessibility and cyclability of waterways. This joint approach helps turn local solutions into shared, scalable results.
Network of cycling routes
Together, the participating regions are working towards a coherent network of high-quality cycling routes along waterways. This strengthens sustainable everyday mobility and creates new opportunities for recreation and tourism. By better integrating cycling into the design and management of waterways, the project helps make these corridors more attractive, accessible and future-proof. In doing so, Cycling Waterways delivers tangible benefits for both local communities and visitors.
Project period
April 2024- June 2028
Project website
Partners
ZARAGOZA CITY COUNCIL (ES), WEST SESIA IRRIGATION ASSOCIATION (IT), PIEDMONT REGION (IT), DESTINATION KYSTLANDET (DK), BSC, Regional Development Agency South-West Oltenia (RO), Rijkswaterstaat