Međimurje: A Paradise for Cyclists
We have cycling tourism - those words can be heard in almost every municipality, city or county with merely good roads and an interesting landscape through which they pass. And really, a cyclist who decides to explore the cultural and natural beauty of all those areas that "have cycling tourism" will not regret it. Actually, several cycling maps have already been printed and you only need to step on the bike pedals.
But are roads, beautiful nature and cycling maps enough? In most cases, yes, but if you ask the team from Međimurje - not so much!
Green hills and quality asphalt have long adorned Međimurje and as such attracted cyclists. However, what they started in Međimurje in 2007 puts them at the very top of the cycling offer in Croatia. Not only are the roads specially designed for both cars and cyclists, but tourists on two wheels have a place to rest, wash, repair their bikes, and charge their mobile phones at the unique rest areas in Croatia. In addition, cyclists are welcome in every catering facility, whose owners are eager to host them and proudly point out that their guests have a place to "tie a horse". But let's see one thing at a time
Bike Rest Areas in Međimurje
The real development of cycling tourism in Međimurje County started in 2007. by applying good examples from Austria and Switzerland, where this form of tourism had grown by more than 25 percent per year. As part of that, near the building of the Tourist Board of Međimurje County, something interesting appeared - a bike rest area. Unique in Croatia and specialized only for cyclists!
There are three such rest areas in the county, and each includes access to drinking water, access to water for showersring and washing bicycles, lockers for storing luggage, charging station for e-bikes and electronic appliances, bicycle parking racks, space and furniture for rest, cycling maps on the wall, stand with printed promotional materials, set of tools for minor bicycle repairs, set of most common inner tubes, first aid kit, tube pump-
Special Services for Cyclists in Međimurje
The main motives for the arrival of cyclists are a beautiful nature landscape, a good bike infrastructure, the possibility of day trips to Slovenia, Hungary and Austria. However, the biggest bait is over 800 kilometers of maintained bike paths in Međimurje. And new ones being made all the time. Soon, the gravel, ie
the gravel category of the trail will be introduced, and in addition to three large bike rest areas, such as the one near the Tourist Board, there are about twenty smaller ones in the county. That's enough for now.
So a cyclist has a place to rest and wash, but where can he eat? Međimurje has a solution for that as well. Namely, it is the first Croatian region to introduce a quality label for cycling tourism. "Cyclist Welcome" means providing high added value, or special services for cyclists in accommodation facilities, restaurants, travel agencies and other facilities used by this type of tourist. The service rate of "Cyclist Welcome" is from one to five gears.
Good Practices in Međimurje's Cycling Tourism
Currently 78 accommodation facilities, catering and other facilities bear the label. It guarantees cyclists a top service specially designed for their specific needs. This label and knowhow have been adopted by Varaždin County and Zagreb County, as well as Zala County in Hungary.
The fact that roads are being built, not only for locals, but also for cyclists, testifies to how extensive and specific tourist offer of Međimurje is. Namely, considering the orientation of the destination towards cycling tourism, and on principles of good practice of destination management in cooperation with the County Road
Administration of Međimurje County and local self-government units, construction of bicycle lanes and paths along roads has accelerated.
Međimurje currently has the best network of asphalt bike lanes and trails in relation to the length of roads in Croatia. The rest of bike infrastructure is also at a high level and Međimurje plans to become the first Radreise Region (ADFC- German Cyclist's Association label) in Croatia. Thanks to the good infrastructure, there has been a decline in traffic accidents involving cyclists, although the number of cyclists in traffic has tripled in the past three years. Due to the positioning of the bike destination, Međimurje was included in the first two races of the Tour of Croatia, and due to the systematic approach and extensive offer, Međimurje was declared the top continental destination in Croatia last year.
| 1. Međimurje/ Davor Rostuhar | 2. Sv. Martin na Muri/ Hrvoje Serdar | 3. Međimurje/ Bojan Haron Markičević | 4. Međimurje/ Tourist board of Međimurje | 5. Međimurje/ Tourist board of Međimurje | 6. Međimurje/ Tourist board of Međimurje | 7. Međimurje/ Tourist board of Međimurje | 8. Međimurje/ Tourist board of Međimurje