Mandatory conditions for restaurant certification
For VeloPopas certification, it is necessary to meet all mandatory criteria. Below you will find the description of each criterion so that you can more easily assess to what extent your facility meets the criteria or what elements are missing to meet the mandatory criteria.
The “Restaurants” category includes all catering units: restaurants, terraces, canteens, gastronomic points, fast food, spaces where self-service installations are organized, rest points equipped with automatic installations, etc.
1. Secure shelter/parking for bikes and luggage during your stay
Minimum criteria:
- An enclosed space is accepted, even unsecured, where tourists can secure their bicycles with a safety chain
- It is accepted to store bicycles overnight in indoor spaces (hallway, rooms, etc.)
Ideal criteria:
- Closed space, inside the accommodation unit, with spaces specially arranged for bicycles, secured (with guard or video cameras)
* Example of ideal space for storing bicycles.
- Important! Please consider that some cyclists may require additional safety criteria for their bicycles or may appreciate more options for safe bicycle storage.
2. Bicycle tool kit
Minimum criteria:
- A kit can be a box like the one in the picture, containing some items needed by cyclists. The minimum mandatory list is below:
Tools
- Multitool set (minimum 6 hex sizes)
- Patent tool
- Straight screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Camera levers
- Pump with pressure gauge, minimum 8 bar, for two types of valves
- Chain wrench (can be included in the multitool set)
- Wrench for pedals
- Roulette
Supplies
- Chain oil
- Wheel patch
- Tape
- Plastic collars
- Latex gloves
- Wipes
Other products that can be added to the mandatory list (the list is not exhaustive):
Tools
- Hex and star keys of various sizes, in T
- Brake disc and pinion straightening wrench
- Chain gauge
- Sprocket wrenches
- Spoke wrench
- Cable pliers
- Chain pliers
- Wheel centering stand
- Gear shifter
- Fixed spanners, various sizes
Supplies
- Wheel chambers of various sizes (MTB, road, trekking)
- Hydraulic brake oil
- Gears
- Pedals
- Anti-wedge liquid
- Spokes of various types and lengths
- Chain or chain links
- Brake and shift cables
- Sleeves for brake and shifter cables
- Solutions for cleaning and maintaining your bike
- Cloths for drying
Important !
1. for consumables, you can also request payment for the products used (partially or fully), in order to permanently maintain a stock of consumables.
2. it is very important that cyclists have easy and quick access to tools and supplies.
Ideal criteria:
Ideal criteria for cyclists include semi-professional equipment and bike repair stands, as in the images below:
3. First aid kit
Minimum criteria:
- The first aid kit is a mandatory element in any accommodation unit, so by having this mandatory kit you also meet the minimum conditions for this mandatory point.
Ideal criteria:
- Ideally, in the bicycle repair area there will be a dedicated kit, which will have several bandages and compresses for cleaning and protection, extra scissors and tweezers, healing agents, a larger supply of wet wipes, disinfectant, etc.
Important !
As with the tool kit, cyclists need quick and easy access to their first aid kit.
4. Socket for charging e-bike batteries and phones
Minimum criteria:
- Normal socket, with access during the visit to the tourist objective.
Ideal criteria:
- Sockets in the space organized for storing bicycles.
5. Free water for cyclists
Minimum criteria:
- Drinking water from any source.
Ideal criteria:
- Bottled water or from a local source, according to tourists' preference
6. Menus dedicated to cyclists (at least two main dishes, one of which should be
vegetarian)
Menus dedicated to cyclists are those dishes on the menu whose preparation does not take more than 10 minutes (generally between 5 and 10 minutes), are consumed quickly and have a high calorie intake. In general, cyclists will spend no more than 30 minutes on lunch and no more than 15 minutes on additional hydration and recovery breaks.
Minimum criteria:
- Two main dishes dedicated to cyclists, one of which is vegetarian.
Ideal criteria:
- Menu dedicated to cyclists, with several options. For each dish, the calorie value, preparation time, allergens and other nutritional values are specified.
7. Drinks menu suitable for cyclists
In addition to water, cyclists need energizing hydration drinks, but also with caffeine. A restaurant will be more appreciated the more it will be rich in hydrating, energizing drinks and coffee.
Minimum criteria:
- Refreshing hydration drinks, priced at most the same as other alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.
Ideal criteria:
- Menu with various energizing, hydrating drinks and coffee.
8. Information for cyclists (print or electronic): routes in the area, information, weather conditions, etc.
Minimum criteria:
- General information, similar for all tourists visiting the location.
Ideal criteria:
- Personalized information for cyclists, including:
- Detailed bike routes starting at the tourist attraction, with the possibility of downloading to your own guidance devices
- Bike-friendly accommodation options nearby
- Information on the nearest bike service, bike shops, accessories and parts
- General tourist information: museums, tourist attractions, restaurants, local events.
Optional conditions for restaurant certification
For the Velo Popas certification, it is necessary to fulfill all the mandatory conditions. The optional conditions are recommended to facilitate the choice of stopping places for cyclists.
Below is a description of each optional condition so you can more easily assess how well your unit meets the conditions or what elements are missing.
We encourage you to start the certification process even if you do not meet all the conditions. This way you can benefit from our assistance to choose the best option for both the cyclists and you.
1. Takeaway food
This service is justified for cycle tourists who want to leave very early, sometimes before breakfast. In addition to these, if there are not many options for lunch or picnic along the next route, the option of preparing a packed lunch is helpful for tourists.
Minimum criteria:
- Early communication of conditions (cost, what it may contain, etc.)
- Sandwich or cold food, plus a drink (water or soft drink)
Ideal criteria:
- Multiple options to choose from
- The possibility of taking a hot drink in a thermos
- Ergonomic package, to take up as little space as possible in tourists' luggage.
2. Menu in at least 3 languages
Minimum criteria:
- Any 3 languages (Romanian + two other languages)
Ideal criteria:
- Romanian, English and at least one other international language
3. The menu includes at least one local specialty
Minimum criteria:
- A single local/national specialty
Ideal criteria:
- Multiple options of local/regional/national specialties, mentioned separately in the menu
4. Special menu for cyclists
The menu for cyclists will be mentioned separately in the menu or there will be a separate category for cyclists. It will include only a few dishes, as a rule, which are prepared very quickly, with high caloric power. The menu for cyclists can be just a selection from the full menu so they can choose more quickly.
Minimum criteria:
- Sub-menu within the main menu (similar to the child menu)
Ideal criteria:
- Separate menu, dedicated to cyclists
- Mention of caloric/protein values
- Varied dishes, including for vegetarians
5. Open 24 hours
Although this criterion is difficult to achieve, it can be a very important one in the decision of cyclists to choose this destination and to recommend it in the future.
Minimum criteria:
- Limited access to certain services
Ideal criteria:
- Access to all services, without prior notice, under the same conditions as during normal working hours
6. Possibility to wash / dry equipment and clothes
Access to tourist maps of the region can be helpful in keeping cycle tourists longer in the area and returning them in the future.
Minimum criteria:
- Place for drying, available during the visit
Ideal criteria:
- Space that can be used for a longer period of time by visitors (changing rooms, wardrobes or air space) to clean and dry your equipment or to change.
7. Possibility to wash / clean the bikes
Minimum criteria:
- In general, the provision of a bucket of water, a brush and dry cloths are the minimum requirements for a cyclist to clean their bicycle and accessory equipment.
Ideal criteria:
- Water pressure system and solutions for degreasing/washing bicycles.
- Important!
- Bicycle washing and the use of specific consumables (shampoo, degreaser, etc.) can be services for a fee
- It is accepted as fulfilled the condition that this service cannot be provided at the accommodation, but there is a system (free of charge or for a fee) in the immediate vicinity of the accommodation unit, i.e. at a maximum distance of 200m
- We want to promote environmentally friendly solutions, so we support any idea that discourages the waste of resources or uses reusable resources. For example, we assess whether equipment that reduces water use will be used to clean the equipment.
8. Free Wi-Fi
This service is present in most accommodation units, restaurants, etc. and it can become an advantage for any accommodation unit that makes it available to tourists.
9. Bicycle components/spare parts
The option to purchase bicycle components, parts and accessories is quite a difficult service, considering that bicycles are very different and anticipating the needs for certain parts or components is difficult. However, certain components, parts and accessories may be made available for a fee. If you want to ensure a minimum stock of such components, our team can assist you in purchasing them at favorable conditions.
The list below is by way of example and may be extended:
- Parts that can be replaced on bicycles: chain, spokes, brake and shifter cables, pedals, tires, tubes, etc.
- Accessories: mudguards, lights, pump, jack,
- Gear: rain gear, bike bags, helmet, cycling jerseys and pants, hand and leg warmers, gloves, etc.
- Consumables: chain oil, camera patches, bike cleaner, degreaser, petroleum jelly, etc.
10. Bicycle rentals
In order to fulfill this criterion, a gastronomic establishment does not have to own its own bicycles, but must be able to make available, at the time of request, bicycles for cyclists. This service may be provided by other providers nearby.
Minimum criteria:
- Bikes for short rides nearby
- Cyclists must not travel more than 200m to pick up their bikes
- Knowing in advance the rental conditions (rate, type of bikes, etc.)
Ideal criteria:
- Cycling bicycles (trekking, touring, mountain bike, gravel bike, e-bike, etc.), functional for long-term use and long distances (minimum two days, minimum 100 km), of several sizes, well maintained, checked at least once every 6 months.
- Free rental or advantageous rates for cyclists who are customers
11. Regional tour/bike route options
The existence of bicycle paths near the gastronomic establishment can be a long-term advantage.
Minimum criteria:
- Access to 1-2 bicycle routes, not very close
Ideal criteria:
- Multiple possibilities to go out by bike
- Marked trails
- Very close to the gastronomic establishment
- Upload routes to your phone / GPS
- Guide services
12. Tourist or bicycle maps of the region (print or electronic)
Access to tourist maps of the region can be helpful in keeping cycle tourists longer in the area and returning them in the future.
Minimum criteria:
- Some maps or guides with the main tourist attractions in the area, free of charge or for a fee
Ideal criteria:
- Multiple options for spending a vacation in the area, both for cyclists and other travelers
- Free of charge
- Print and electronic