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Join us in Brussels on 26-27 April 2022 for the EuroVelo Route Inspectors' Training 2022

Wednesday, February 23, 2022
The EuroVelo Route Inspectors' Training is back! The next edition will take place this spring at ECF’s headquarters in Brussels. Participants will learn how to survey cycling routes using the methodology and software provided by ECF, based on the European Certification Standard (ECS) for long-distance cycle routes.

This year’s EuroVelo Route Inspectors' Training will be the ninth edition of the training organised by ECF since 2015, and the fourth since major updates of the methodology and survey application were made in 2020 and 2021. The training is open to all but particularly to anyone planning to assess and evaluate cycle routes – EuroVelo or others. This can include local government members, public cycling bodies, national cycling organisations, cycling advocates, etc. Members of National EuroVelo Coordination Centres and Coordinators (NECC/Cs) can benefit from a discount. External parties interested in the topic should contact their relevant NECC/Cs before registering.

INTERESTED? REGISTER NOW VIA THIS FORM!


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New ECS manual

The ECS methodology, though tailored to survey EuroVelo routes, can also be used to survey any regional, national or transnational cycle routes in order to get a clear idea of their development levels and identify needed investments to improve the route conditions. In case a EuroVelo route is surveyed and a section of at least 300 km meets the required quality criteria, it can be officially certified, meaning it is very well developed and can be safely recommended to occasional and inexperienced cycle tourists. The European Certification Standard can also help set up national standards where they do not exist and harmonise the different regulations in the European states.

During the two days training, participants will learn how to correctly survey a cycle route according to the ECS methodology. This will include presentations on the theory of the certification standards, data collection in the field and data processing. At the end of the training, participants will be tested on the European Certification Standard methodology, a step required to be officially certified as a EuroVelo Route Inspector at the end of the course.

ECS - EuroVelo Route Inspectors’ Training in 2021 in Budapest (Hungary)
ECS - EuroVelo Route Inspectors’ Training in 2021 in Budapest (Hungary)

This training uses the new version of the ECS app, upgraded in 2020-2021, and presents the updated methodology based on a thorough optimization of process and certification criteria. An overview of the ECS goals, criteria and survey methodology can be found in the document Quality criteria for long-distance cycle routes. If this topic is of interest to you and your work, do not hesitate and join us in Brussels to learn more. On top of the training opportunity, late April is the time to witness the beauty of cherry blossoms in Brussels and the vibrant atmosphere of the city!

Programme overview

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

• Morning: Focus on the theory of the ECS, covering the infrastructure criteria: continuity, route components, surface and width, gradients, attractiveness, signing and public transport.

• Afternoon: Continuing with the ECS theory, focus on the other types of criteria: services, marketing and promotion. Presentation of the ECS application, the EuroVelo route backend and the next day’s field trip.

Wednesday, 27 April 2022

• Morning: Dedicated to the field trip, practical training while cycling on a local route, in which participants can get acquainted with the ECS application. An occasion to discover Brussels in the saddle!

• Afternoon: Individual test on the ECS theory, feedback on the field trip and presentations on the certification and uses of the ECS. The training finishes with the awarding of diplomas to the participants who passed the test.

Price

The training costs 125€ for members of the NECC/Cs network and 375€ for other participants. Other costs such as accommodation and bike rental are optional and at the participants’ own expenses (bearing in mind that a bicycle is required for the second day’s data collection).

For participants who cannot bring their own bike for the practical part of the training, ECF will arrange a bike rental option for 30€ per participant. The participation fee includes a light lunch on both days, coffee and drinks. Transport arrangements and all other meals are the responsibility of the participant. Please note that all prices exclude VAT.

Deadline for registering

Registrations are open until Sunday 10 April 2022.

Any questions? Contact: Florence Grégoire, [email protected]



Author: Florence Grégoire