Decrease in usage on Elberadweg after pandemic-induced surge - Cycling route Elberadweg: Usage declines following surge during pandemic
Elbe Cycle Route Sees Decline After Pandemic Boom
The Elbe Cycle Route, a popular tourist destination in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, has experienced a decline in usage following the surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decline appears to be due to a combination of external factors affecting local conditions rather than a loss of interest in cycling itself.
According to Stephan Marahrens from ADFC Saxony-Anhalt, the tourism market has become highly competitive. The ADFC's cycle tourism analysis shows intense competition, with the Elbe Cycle Route ranking second in popularity among cycle routes in Germany, behind the Weser Cycle Route.
The pandemic boom was significant, with usage on the Elbe Cycle Route increasing substantially. However, subsequent data from bicycle counters in Saxony-Anhalt shows a decline in usage, with a drop between 15 and nearly 19 percent.
Heike Grunow, project coordinator for the Elbe Cycle Route, attributes the decline to the expansion of the tourist cycling network in Germany and Europe. Environmental factors, such as agricultural and environmental stresses, may also have played a role. Saxony-Anhalt and the broader Elbe river basin experienced significant droughts and hydrometeorological extremes between 2016 and 2022, with 2018 and 2022 being particularly damaging years for agriculture in eastern Germany, including the Elbe region.
Changes in local service quality along the route and the normalization of outdoor leisure activities post-pandemic may also have contributed to the decline. Recent reviews from towns along the route such as Havelberg note deteriorations in service quality and value perceptions in some establishments serving cyclists, possibly reducing the attractiveness of the route for repeat or extended stays.
In parallel, other cycling events like the ADAC Cycling Tour in Saxony-Anhalt remain active and well-promoted, suggesting that cycling as a sport and leisure activity continues but may be shifting focus away from the Elbe Cycle Route itself.
The Elbe Cycle Route is not typically ridden in its entirety from source to mouth. Many cyclists on the Elbe Cycle Route end their tours in tourist cities such as Dresden, Dessau, or Lutherstadt Wittenberg. If a train connection is lacking, cyclists choose other sections such as Magdeburg-Dessau, Meißen-Bad Schandau, or Dresden-Prague.
The demands on the route and terrain vary depending on the type of bike, with the bicycle market changing significantly with the introduction of racing bikes, gravel bikes, and e-bikes. Cyclists are becoming more experienced and specialized, according to Grunow, who also emphasizes the importance of keeping up with the competition to maintain a strong position in tourism in the future.
The state government of Saxony-Anhalt provided this information in response to a minor inquiry by the Greens. The Elbe Cycle Route extends for nearly 1,300 kilometers, starting in the Giant Mountains in the Czech Republic and ending at the North Sea. Despite the recent decline, the Elbe Cycle Route remains a popular destination for cyclists, offering a unique and picturesque journey through Germany's heartland.
- The decline in usage of the Elbe Cycle Route may necessitate a review of the community policy to better accommodate and attract visitors, potentially catering to the interests of cyclists seeking home-and-garden, lifestyle, travel, sports, and other leisure activities.
- As the tourism market becomes increasingly competitive, it is crucial for establishments along the Elbe Cycle Route to maintain high service quality and value perceptions to cater to cyclists' preferences, thereby enhancing the attractiveness and competitiveness of the route.
