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EuroVelo Route Inspectors' Training

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

ECF offers a yearly training session for future EuroVelo Route Inspectors. Participants learn how to assess the quality of cycle routes using the European Certification Standard (ECS) methodology and the ECS App provided by ECF. The ECS methodology focuses on 3 main aspects of cycle routes: infrastructure, services and communications.

Save-the-date: 2026 edition in Brussels

The next edition will take place on 14-15 April 2026, in Brussels, Belgium. You can already pre-enroll to express your interest and be notified as soon as official registration opens.

Pre-enroll to the 2026 training!

You can check out the 2025 agenda here. Official registration for the 2026 edition will open at the end of 2025.

What is ECS?

ECS logo

The European Certification Standard (ECS) is a successful methodology for route surveying, which consists of collecting data on infrastructure, services and communications using the dedicated ECS app. The survey enables a comprehensive assessment of the quality of cycle routes, and helps stakeholders to understand development needs and plan further investments. It also generates useful information for the end users.

When applied to EuroVelo routes, if the correct set of criteria are met, ECS can lead to routes becoming fully certified. “Certification” is the highest quality level on the EuroVelo network. Once achieved, certification is valid for five years.

You will find more information on the ECS, as well as downloadable manuals and annexes, on the European Certification Standard page.

What will I learn?

Detailed quality criteria for cycle routes as included in the ECS methodology, pertaining to infrastructure, services and communications
How to plan the assessment of a long-distance cycle route (EuroVelo or other) using the ECS methodology
How to use the ECS App in the field
How to access your data after a survey and check if the minimum quality criteria defined by ECS are being met
How to prepare a Route Evaluation Report and an Action Plan to identify improvement needs and investment priorities
Conditions and process for EuroVelo route sections to be granted the EuroVelo Certification label

Format of the training: mix of lectures, group exercises, field trip and individual evaluation.

Language: The training, as well as all materials provided, are in English. It is not possible to follow the training with the help of AI translation softwares as the training has an interactive format with discussions, group exercises and a field trip.

Group picture - field trip along EuroVelo 5 during the EuroVelo Route Inspectors' Training 2024 © ECF

For whom is the training intended?

Cycle route managers, infrastructure authorities, EU-funded projects partners, NGOs representatives, and other relevant stakeholders. Anyone interested in learning more about cycle route quality and safety is welcome to take part in the training.

How much does it cost?

Indicative 2025 training costs (including lunches and coffee/teak breaks):

€300 (VAT excluded) for members of a National EuroVelo Coordination Centre (NECC) consortium
€600 (VAT excluded) for other participants

For the field trip, participants will need a cycle and an Android device to use the ECS app.
ECF organises bicycle and phone rentals in exchange of a fee. You can inform ECF of your needs through the registration form. Participants are welcome to bring their own bicycle and to use their own Android phone or tablet if they wish to. Minimum OS requirement for the Android device: Android 5.0 and above, ideal with Android 10.

The 2025 costs are indicated and may be subject to slight changes until official registration open for the 2026 edition.

Participants are in charge of their own travel arrangements and accommodation in the training's location.

Where do I sign up?

The next edition will be on 14-15 April 2026 in Brussels. Registrations will open at the end of 2025. The form to register will be shared on this page. Follow EuroVelo on social media and subscribe to the EuroVelo Newsletter to be kept informed!

Do not hesitate to write us if you have any questions: [email protected].

Bespoke training

EuroVelo Route Inspector training courses can be organised on demand in person in a location of your choice. Please get in touch with the EuroVelo team for more information

Group picture - field trip of the EuroVelo Route Inspectors' Training 2024, nearby Kranj, Slovneia © BSC Kranj - ReMOBIL project — EuroVelo Route Inspectors' Training in 2024 in Kranj, Slovenia

Did you already follow the Training? Refresh your memory and get ready to survey!

You can update your knowledge of the ECS methodology and app at the Refresher Course taking place every year online. As the ECS methodology will undergo an important update in 2026, inspectors are encouraged attend the course to learn firsthand about the key changes.

The 2026 Refresher Course will take place on Tuesday 19 May 2026. Save the date!

In addition to the in-person training, an online refresher course is organised every year at the attention of EuroVelo Route Inspectors who completed training on the European Certification Standard (ECS).

Why take the Refresher?

The main objective of this course is to refresh inspectors' memories of how the ECS methodology works, how to apply the criteria, and how to analyse the data collected and prepare a report, in particular in the perspective of an upcoming ECS survey.
This online course also helps inspectors stay up to date on any changes to the methodology, especially the latest developments in its tools (the ECS app and backend). As the ECS methodology will undergo a major update in 2026, inspectors are encouraged to participate in the course to receive direct guidance on the main changes within the reviewed Handbook for Inspectors.
The completion of the online course also allows to extend the duration of the Inspectors' certificate, which conditions their authorisation to use the ECS app and complete surveys.

Indeed, the EuroVelo Route Inspector Certificate remains valid for five years, as the ECS methodology and softwares are likely to evolve in this period of time, as ECF aims at continuously improving it based on the valuable feedback from inspectors. In some cases, participants may also not conduct surveys immediately after completing the training, so a refresher before going into the field can be useful.

Inspectors who do not complete a Refresher within five years will lose their certification and authorisation to carry out surveys, and will consequently be removed from the official List of EuroVelo Route Inspectors.

Following the 2025 Refresher Course, all EuroVelo Route Inspectors who completed training prior to February 2020 and did not take part in a Refresher Course since then were removed from the List.

How much does it cost?

Costs for the one-day online training:

€150 (VAT excluded) for members of a National EuroVelo Coordination Centre (NECC) consortium
€300 (VAT excluded) for other participants

Where do I sign up?

The 2026 Refresher Course will take place online on Tuesday 19 May (full day). Registrations will open at the end of the year. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions: [email protected]

What will I learn?

This course was developed to meet inspectors’ needs and has been adapted over the years. Agenda of the 2025 edition can be found here.

We will quickly review the different criteria for the infrastructure, services and marketing and promotion.
The 2025 edition introduced two new modules:
- one focusing on survey preparation and organisation - detailing the different steps that need to be taken before launching an ECS survey;
- one focusing on survey data analysis, editing and evaluation reporting - introducing the new tool developed by ECF in 2024: the Excel export!
The upcoming edition will incorporate the 2026 ECS methodology update, highlighting the main changes and presenting the latest developments in the ECS software, which support data review and analysis after the field phase.

The 2026 Refresher will take place later in the year than previous editions, closer to the usual survey period. Indeed, it is recommended to conduct surveys during the local cycling tourism season, to ensure they reflect the real experience of cyclists on the route.

Do not hesitate to write to [email protected] if you have any questions or subscribe to the EuroVelo Newsletter to receive all latest news on the ECS: register to the newsletter.

EuroVelo Route Inspectors

All successful participants of a EuroVelo Route Inspectors' training receive an official Certificate and credentials to access their surveys' results on the EuroVelo backend. EuroVelo Route Inspectors are officially authorised by ECF to perform route assessments using the ECS App. Note that the ECS App is subject to a license and route managers should get in touch with ECF.

The following list contains the contact details of EuroVelo Route Inspectors who agreed to be named on this website and may be available for a cycle route survey:

List of Official EuroVelo Route Inspectors

Inspectors are sorted by country to help stakeholders interested in contracting EuroVelo Route Inspectors to identify those located in the same country and speaking the same language. However, all inspectors listed voluntarily shared their contact details to demonstrate their potential availability for any survey, may it be in their country or another one.

N.B.: Only inspectors who have requested to be included on the list are shown. If you want to update this information, to be added or removed, please contact [email protected].