By Maggie LaCoste
I’ve gotten a lot of e-mails lately asking about the difference between these different bike routes, so I thought it would be a great time to talk about each of them and what they offer to recreational cyclists in France.
EuroVelo is a European bicycling network that links all countries in Europe. The network is overseen by the European Cyclists’ Federation in cooperation with the National EuroVelo organization. There are currently 12 long distance routes encompassing over 60,000 km, about two thirds of which is in place currently. Of the twelve routes, six of them go through France: EuroVelo 1, the Atlantic Coast Route, EuroVelo 3, the Pilgrim’s Route, EuroVelo 4 and 5, EuroVelo 6, Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea Route and EuroVelo 8, the Mediterranean Route. The network is made up of existing and planned cycle routes and improvements are ongoing. As of right now, none of the routes are totally finished.
In order for a route to be part of the EuroVelo network it must meet the following requirements:
- have no gradient above 6%
- be wide enough for 2 cyclists
- have an average of no more than 1,000 cars a day
- have a hard surface for more than 80% of its length
- be open for bicyclists year round, have lodging available every 50 km, food every 30 km, and public transit every 150 km
The most current information on the EuroVelo network can be found at the website of the European Cyclist’s Federation. The only route that has a website covering the entire route is EuroVelo 6. For all the other routes, you can find independent websites reporting on the routes or part of the routes, or websites reporting on the routes in particular countries. One of the major challenges facing EuroVelo is the current lack of an information database on the network. There is very little information available on individual routes and until this information is more readily available, use of this long distance network will be limited.
A Veloroute is a long to medium distance scenic bicycling path where the gradient does not exceed 3% and it carries no more than 1,000 cars a day. Veloroute may be made up of a variety of road types: greenways or Voie Verte, canal or lakeside paths or quiet country roads. Veloroute are not exclusively for bicyclists, they may be shared with other pedestrians like roller-bladers or walkers. Examples of Veloroute in France include rides like La Loire a Velo, Lake Geneva to the Sea, the Canal du Midi Route from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, and the Paris-Strasbourg route.
Road signs for L’Indre River Veloroute in the Loire Valley
Voie verte, known as greenways in England, radweg in Germany and vias verdes in Spain are the most popular recreational cycling paths in France, as well as throughout Europe. Voie verte are totally car-free paths, reserved for walkers, bicyclists, roller-bladers and people in wheelchairs. Many of the routes are along canal towpaths, abandoned rail lines or old logging roads that are now dedicated recreational paths. They are flat for the most part–the highest grade is 3%, thus making them the perfect choice for recreational cycling. Voie verte are perfect for family outings or for anyone looking for a peaceful, relaxing cycling adventure without the stress of automobile traffic.
- This is a voie verte, veloroute and part of the EuroVelo 6 bike trail
This is a very comprehensive guide and explanation – thanks ! Certainly if you are cycling with kids I would much prefer the car free routes.
I will refer to this in my blog article about cycling on Voie Vertes routes.
Thanks so much! Currently working on several guidebooks on void verte and veloroute biking. Hope to have the first one done early 2012. In meantime will continue to cover on website. Appreciate the link!