Context
The Małopolska Region, despite its significant tourism and economic potential, faced persistent challenges related to fragmented transport infrastructure and high congestion on local and regional roads. The absence of safe corridors for non-motorised mobility limited the region’s competitiveness in the active tourism sector and hindered residents’ ability to commute to work and school using sustainable modes of transport. The Dunajec and Poprad river valleys, through which the route runs, form natural transport corridors; however, the mountainous terrain and flood-prone areas required a systemic and innovative engineering approach. The project is fully aligned with the regional VeloMałopolska strategy and addresses key challenges related to the development of sustainable, low emission mobility.
Objectives
The overall objective of the project was to establish a coherent, high-quality, zero-emission transport corridor along the EuroVelo 11 route, connecting municipalities across the region with the wider European cycling network. The specific objectives include:
- strengthening economic competitiveness by stimulating local entrepreneurship (SMEs) along the route including gastronomy, accommodation, and service providers, through the development of cycling tourism;
- enhancing safety and mobility by separating cycling traffic from motor vehicle traffic along critical sections and constructing grade-separated bridge crossings, enabling the route to function as a safe option for everyday commuting;
- transport integration by creating a coherent system linking cycling infrastructure with the regional rail network, addressing the ‘last mile’ challenge, and improving accessibility for travellers;
- revitalisation and accessibility by opening up environmentally valuable river valley areas to residents and visitors while fully complying with stringent environmental protection standards.
Implementation
The implementation strategy was based on maximising the use of existing land resources, including the adaptation of embankments along disused railway lines and the utilisation of flood protection levees. This approach enabled the revitalisation of underused areas while minimising environmental impact. The strategy covered not only the construction of the cycling route itself, but also its functional integration with public transport. As a result, EuroVelo 11 has become a viable alternative to car travel, allowing users to conveniently combine rail and bicycle journeys for both daily commuting and tourism.
The construction process required advanced technical solutions to ensure the route could be safely developed in mountainous terrain and flood-prone river valleys. Works included complex riverbank stabilisation measures as well as the construction of dedicated, grade-separated cycling bridges designed exclusively for non-motorised traffic. The resulting infrastructure is fully separated from motor vehicle traffic, ensuring user safety and uninterrupted travel regardless of road conditions.