what a year!
The year 2024 has been one of significant change for the cycling sector. Headlines have largely focused on the negatives, such as the crisis in the bike manufacturing market or the approval of a road code in Italy that somewhat hinders those who want to ride. Despite these challenges, the bicycle continues to gain the recognition it deserves as a key tool for sustainable mobility and responsible tourism.
A major testament to this is the European Declaration on Cycling, signed this year, which highlights the value of cycling across various areas of society.
Cycle tourism, on the other hand, is experiencing unprecedented growth, recording an impressive +35% year-on-year increase according to the latest data. Additionally, a recent report has highlighted the immense potential of the tourism sector to create up to 1 million new jobs. This development will primarily focus on the ecosystem surrounding bicycles, including mobility services and sustainable tourism, opening up new opportunities and strengthening the economic value of the sector.
Bikenomist, our company, has also felt the impact of these challenges, which have pushed us to give our very best at every turn. As we approach the end of 2024, it’s the perfect time to take stock and reflect on our journey.
Here is what we have done in 2024:
The third edition of the Cycle Tourism Show
It started as a joke, yet this year we proudly concluded a third edition that saw the participation of over 15,000 visitors and 125 industry operators. The B2B day of the Cycle Tourism Show created over 250 meetings, once again demonstrating the strength of networking and collaboration.
Bikeitalia.it continues to grow.
Bikeitalia is the foundation of everything, and we always give it a lot of attention. Over the past 12 months, we have more than doubled the website traffic (+116% compared to 2023) and surpassed the threshold of 15 million views in a year. One thing that fills us with particular pride is that, thanks to constant data monitoring, we have more than tripled the number of female readers of Bikeitalia.
Bikeitalia LAB continue to grow.
The Bikeitalia LAB are the only network of cycling biomechanists with a degree in Italy. In 2024, we opened two new LABs in Varese and Sassari. Throughout 2024, we performed 762 biomechanical assessments across the country (+27% compared to 2023) with a satisfaction rate of 98%.
Basta Dolori in Sella, the book
After 10 years of activity in the field of cycling biomechanics and having treated more than 3,200 cyclists, we decided to put in writing what we have learned about this science and published a 350-page manual titled ‘Basta Dolori in Sella’ to share our method with as many people as possible. In one week, more than 300 copies were sold.
Allenati con Bikeitalia
Over time, our biomechanics clients began asking us if we knew any personal trainers who could support them in preparation for the cycling season. The advantage of having a team of graduates in motor sciences led us to create a new service, ‘Allenati con Bikeitalia’, a remote training program for cyclists based on their specific needs. In 2024, we trained 552 cyclists and aim to double this number in 2025.
Once again alongside the Milan Chamber of Commerce.
Bikenomist was created to transform bike into an economic opportunity for as many people as possible, which is why we were particularly honored that this year the Milan Monza Brianza Lodi Chamber of Commerce entrusted us with organizing a day of orientation on professions in the bike economy: 2 Ruote 1000 lavori. We brought together the best in the field to showcase the economic opportunities in a sector that is unfortunately underrated but one in which it is worth investing, with care and expertise.
Valuable Collaborations
2024 was marked by strategic partnerships to strengthen the impact of activities on the territory that are heading in the right direction. Among these, many events such as the Cuneo Bike Festival, the Spoleto-Norcia MTB, the Regeneration Festival of the Province of Padua, and many more.
This is for Italy, and then there is the international dimension.
Once again this year, we were media partners of the Velo-city Conference, where we showcased lesser-known cycling tourism destinations to an international audience. At Eurobike, the world’s largest bike trade fair, we presented Bikeitalia as part of the Women in Cycling initiative, highlighting our commitment to giving space to female voices in the sector. We are working on the public launch of the Women in Cycling initiative in Italy, which will take place in January.
Some setbacks
Clearly, 2024 has not been all roses and sunshine, and sometimes you have to take two steps back to take one forward. After ten years of activity, we closed our in-person bicycle mechanics course division. Bikeitalia was the first stable bicycle mechanics school in Italy, but the conditions to continue no longer exist. The reasons for this decision are so numerous that it’s not the place to address them here. However, one principle should apply: in life, you can do anything, but you can’t do everything.
Thanks you.
None of this would have been possible without the support of our partners, clients, readers, and enthusiasts. Your trust is our driving force, and together we can continue to promote the positive change that cycling represents.
2025 is shaping up to be full of challenges and opportunities, but for now, we take a moment to look back and celebrate a year that was as extraordinary as it was demanding.
Thank you for riding with us!
In the meantime, mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:
Assisi, February 20th and 21st for the Forum of Cycle Tourism in Umbria, which we will organize with the University of Perugia;
Bologna, from April 4th to 6th for the Cycle Tourism Show;
December 6th and 7th for the Campus Bike Convention, applied science to cycling.
