Cycle-borne guests form a growing proportion of customers for the catering and hotel trades. In most cases no large investments are required to win them over.
Cycle-tourists' needs depend very much on the kind of tour they are making. Findings from research show that the main reasons for taking this kind of holiday are: the enjoyment of nature, sport and exercise, culture, and not least the desire for a car-free holiday. On the other hand, the desire for a cheap holiday can be disregarded. People who have spent a solid day in the saddle will usually treat themselves to a good evening meal and comfortable accommodation for the night.
Cycle-tourists do not form a homogenous group. Whilst young people are somewhat under-represented, there is a fairly high proportion of children accompanying adults. A great many cycle-tourists are in the over 50 age group. The image of cycle-touring as the "poor man's holiday" has long been out of date, as most holidaymakers are now to be found in the "new middle class", i.e. middle-ranking and senior white-collar workers, teachers and civil servants. Most cycle in couples, but there are also families and sometimes larger groups of more than 4 people.
Cyclists use all kinds of overnight accommodation, from a camp site to a 5-star hotel. Having a television in the room is unimportant, but the comfort of a room with shower or bath is much appreciated. By the evening cyclists are really tired and hungry so in general they like accommodation with catering facilities under the same roof.
Cafes and restaurants situated on cycle routes generally profit from their cycle-borne guests' greater need for supplies. As they can only carry a small amount of luggage, cyclists cannot live for weeks on the contents of their car boots like motorists, but have to buy fresh supplies each day. And besides, the cyclists' predilection for frequent stops often prompts them to interrupt their tour and call at an inn.
Let us know what cycle-friendly facilities you can offer your guests. We will gladly mention your establishment in our advice to cycle-tourists, will put you on a list of "Cycle-friendly establishments" and will then write to you later before including you in an accommodation list "Bett & Bike".
REQUIREMENTS
If a tourist facility is to comply with the wishes of cyclists it should fulfil the following requirements:
A) ADFC list of criteria for cycle-friendly ACCOMMODATION
Minimum requirements:
- Cyclists may stay for one night only if they wish.
- Lockable room for storage of cycles overnight (at floor level if possible, e.g. garage).
- Drying facilities for clothing and equipment (e.g. laundry, cellar or drying room).
- Provision of a cyclists' breakfast: muesli, fruits and wholemeal products.
- Display or provision of cycle touring maps of the region, also bus and train timetables.
- Set of repair equipment with the most important tools.
- Details of location, opening times and telephone number of the nearest cycle repair shop for major repairs.
Further recommendations:
- When guests book in advance, information should be provided on environment-friendly access by bus or train.
- Transportation of guests if they need it.
- Own stock of good-quality cycles for hire, or details of a local cycle-hire company (terms, telephone number).
- Provision of maps and descriptions of lokal and regional cycling routes.
- Transport service of luggage from the last or to the next accommodation.
- Reservation service for the next night in a bicycle friendly accommodation.
- Important spare parts, if necessary by arrangement with the nearest repair shop.
- List of other cycle-friendly establishments in the region.
- Lunch pack to take away.
- Guest book containing experiences of cycle-tourists in the region.
B) ADFC criteria for cycle-friendly CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS
Minimum requirements:
- Good-quality cycle park, covered if possible, within view of a supervisor, or lockable room for cycles and luggage.
- A choice of drinks suitable for cyclists, e.g. the "cyclists' special" (½ litre of fruit juice with mineral water), fruit teas or herb teas. (Price should be less than a glass of beer!)
- At least one hot meal during opening hours.
- Display or provision of cycle-touring maps of the region, also bus and train timetables.
- Set of repair equipment with the most important tools.
- Details of location, opening times and telephone number of the nearest cycle repair shop for major repairs
Further recommendations:
- At least one wholefood dish and one vegetarian dish.
- Provison of regional dishes.
- Open during the whole day.
- Drying facilities for clothing and equipment (e.g. laundry, cellar or drying room).
- Important spare parts, if necessary by arrangement with the nearest repair shop.
- Information on cycle-friendly accommodation in the region.
- Lunch pack to take away.
- Guest book containing experiences of cycle-tourists in the region.
For any questions about "Bett & Bike" mail to bettundbike(at)adfc.de or write to:
ADFC Bett & Bike Deutschland
Manteuffelstr. 60
28203 Bremen /Germany
Tel. ++49-421-758 90
Fax++49-421-794 80 65
www.bettundbike.de
