By Bike Everywhere: this is the slogan that guided the fifth edition of the Cycle Tourism Show, hosted in Padua from March 28 to 30, 2026. The event, organized by Bikenomist, confirmed itself as an international showcase for Italian and foreign cycle tourism, surpassing every previous edition with record numbers.
With over 27,000 visitors, 210 accredited journalists, and 268 exhibitors and co-exhibitors from 20 countries and 12 Italian regions, the fair recorded a spectacular start already on Saturday morning, with 700 people in line at the gates. The event offered 1,112 meetings between operators and more than 60 talks with 120 speakers, transforming into a true international hub for the world of bicycle holidays.
Italian regions by bicycle
The Show featured Basilicata, Calabria, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Marche, Piedmont, Apulia, Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, and Lombardy, bringing to the public’s attention iconic routes and new cycle tourism proposals. Among the most appreciated were the Treviso-Ostiglia, the first GSTC-certified cycle route for sustainability, the Ciclovia Meridiana in Basilicata, and the Alpe Adria Cycle Route with bike + bus service. Tuscany presented 20,000 km of itineraries, including famous routes like Strade Bianche and L’Eroica, while the Marche region highlighted 24 geo-referenced loop routes.
Professional matching and international networking
B2B was one of the strengths of the event: 80 supply-side operators and 40 demand-side operators from 20 countries participated in 1,112 targeted meetings, fostering new partnerships and awareness of market opportunities.
The Show thus confirms itself as a strategic place where supply and demand meet, with over 5,000 professionals involved.
Talks, best practices, and travel stories
In the more than 60 talks, divided across three thematic stages – Trails, Stories, and Knowledge – the public could explore how to organize a bicycle trip, listening to direct experiences and practical advice.
Among the most followed best practices was the Tuscany Charter of Values, which promotes a slow and sustainable approach to cycle tourism, valuing the journey as much as the destination.
During the Cycle Tourism Forum day, the Cycle Tourism Index was also presented, the first European study tracking where and when cycle tourists choose to move. According to the Isnart Cycle Tourism 2026 Report presented at the Show, cycle tourism is increasingly attracting young people and women, who now represent almost half of the demand.
Italian excellence in production and innovation
The Show awarded Made in Italy products, with artisanal bicycles from brands such as Bixxis, Cicli Galletti, Ottotubi, Clorofilla, Cicli Barco, and Grandis, along with bikepacking innovations by Miss Grape and e-bike platforms from WD99, Lombardo, and Olympia. Technologies for autonomous e-bike charging, presented by HyCharge and Pradella Sistemi, generated great interest.
By bicycle, also for the little ones
Attention to families was concrete: young explorers could participate in a two-wheeled treasure hunt, with the issuance of the little cycle tourist passport and final prizes, a fun and educational way to introduce children to the world of cycle tourism.
Sustainability and connection with the territory
The bicycle parking set up at the Show entrance, supported by Trenitalia – Official Green Carrier, accommodated more than 2,000 bikes, reducing traffic and pollution. Additionally, more than 10 cycle tourism routes starting and ending at the Fair were proposed, allowing visitors to discover Padua and its surroundings on the saddle.
See you in 2027
The Cycle Tourism Show confirms itself as the national and international point of reference for enthusiasts and sector operators. The next major meeting is already scheduled: Padua, March 2027, with new experiences, itineraries, and innovations for those who love traveling by bicycle.
