Two Wheels, One Vision: CYROS Connects Cyclists and Public Transport Across Borders
19/01/2026
A Cross-Border Push for Sustainable Mobility
The CYROS project (Adriatic Ionian Cycle Route for Sustainable Tourism) is a joint Italian–Croatian initiative funded by the Interreg Italy–Croatia Cooperation Programme 2021–2027. It aims to develop the Adriatic-Ionian cycling corridor and promote sustainable mobility that links cycling with public transport and tourism across the region.
CYROS builds on years of collaboration between Italian and Croatian partners, drawing on lessons learned from earlier Interreg initiatives. Running until August 2026, it focuses on mapping existing cycling routes, identifying gaps, and improving connections with trains, buses, and ferries to create a seamless multimodal network.
Beyond infrastructure, CYROS brings together stakeholders and institutions to ensure that mobility planning and policy decisions align with the region’s real needs. The project’s integrated approach transforms past experiences into tangible results - combining cycling, sustainable transport, and tourism in a way that benefits both travellers and policymakers.
A Shared Vision Beyond Borders
At the heart of CYROS lies a shared vision of cross-border mobility - a cycling network that’s sustainable, connected, and easy to use. Cycling here is more than recreation: it’s a means to cut emissions, ease congestion, and encourage healthier lifestyles.
This vision stems from long-standing cooperation. Earlier efforts, such as the “Bus & Bike” initiative, which allowed cyclists to travel from Trieste to Poreč while connecting with the Parenzana cycling route, proved how pilot projects can yield lasting results. Those experiences now underpin CYROS, enabling partners to move decisively from studies to real-world investments.
Mapping the Adriatic-Ionian Corridor
One of CYROS’s key achievements is the comprehensive mapping of the Adriatic-Ionian cycling corridor in Italy and Croatia. Using ICT tools and GIS platforms, the project identifies existing infrastructure, fills in missing links, and connects cycling paths with public transport and tourist attractions along the route.
This digital mapping is not just a technical exercise - it’s a planning tool that helps local authorities, tourism boards, and transport providers coordinate efforts and make cycling a central element of regional mobility strategies.
Where Two Wheels Meet Trains, Buses, and Ferries
Multimodality - combining cycling with other modes of transportation - is at the core of CYROS. Yet challenges remain: in Istria, public transport is still limited, and many long-distance services offer little or no bicycle transport.
CYROS tackles these barriers head-on by engaging policymakers and operators to promote bike-friendly transport hubs, bike-carrying options on trains, buses, and ferries, and harmonised timetables.
A notable pilot action involves Jadrolinija, Croatia’s largest ferry company, which will test bike racks on ferries - a first for the region. This small but significant innovation could transform coastal cycling connectivity between Italian and Croatian ports.
In parallel, CYROS hosts round tables and conferences, including the National Cycling Conference in Poreč, where stakeholders discuss sustainable mobility, tourism, and maritime transport. These events foster collaboration and help shape future regional strategies.
A Model for Cross-Border Cooperation
CYROS exemplifies how governance and cooperation can drive innovation. Local authorities, transport providers, and tourism boards on both sides of the Adriatic work together, benefiting from years of trust built through previous projects.
Aligned with the European Green Deal, the EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, and TEN-T network objectives, CYROS positions the Adriatic-Ionian region as a model for transnational sustainable mobility.
From Experience to Action
While earlier projects explored concepts, CYROS delivers implementation - mapping routes, improving infrastructure, and developing multimodal strategies that connect cyclists with public transport and regional attractions.
The project’s inclusive approach - through stakeholder engagement and public events - ensures that its actions reflect community needs and feed into broader development plans. Each phase of cooperation builds on the last, multiplying impact and accelerating progress.
Conclusion: A Road Ahead
CYROS shows that sustainable mobility doesn’t stop at borders. Linking cycling routes with public transportation and tourism services creates real value for both residents and visitors while strengthening institutional capacity to deliver future projects.
Innovations like bike-carrying ferries and coordinated cross-border mapping prove that collaboration can turn vision into action. As CYROS advances, it calls on stakeholders and communities to join in shaping a more connected, resilient, and sustainable Adriatic-Ionian region - where two wheels and shared goals truly move together.
