CYCLING AS A SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY FORM IN THE MAGNA GRAECIA AREA OF THE CALABRIA REGION, ITALY

Abstract

With the Regional Transport Plan, Calabria Region government has launched several initiatives for sustainability in the transport and logistics sector. Among those, there is the initiative for the promotion of cycling mobility with the aim to also support the realization of the Magna Graecia cycle route. The Magna Graecia cycle route crosses three regions of southern Italy, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily, for about 1,300 km. It is one of Europe’s long-distance cycle itineraries and represents the final part of Eurovelo 7, which runs through Europe for about 7,700 km, interconnected with the national regional cycle network and the other infrastructures of the regional transport system. The realization of the Magna Graecia cycle route aims to favour forms of sustainable tourism, with particular regard to areas with a strong naturalistic and cultural value. The aim is to promote the development of mobility by bicycle, both as a means of daily transport and for tourist and recreational activities, within the general framework of sustainable mobility. Another aim is to increase the attractiveness of the territory, by trying to reduce the negative effects on health and soil consumption, and job opportunities. This is a study of the role of the regional government in promoting policies to support sustainable mobility with reference to cycle mobility, and on the technical-administrative procedure of Magna Graecia cycle route realization. It is an example of how a regional government works to pursue international sustainability objectives by implementing funding programmes.