Criteria – Tourist attractions
Mandatory conditions for the certification of tourist attractions
For the Velo Popas certification, it is necessary to meet all the 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.
1. Shelter/secure parking for bicycles and luggage during the visit
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 in indoor spaces (hallway, rooms, etc.)
Ideal criteria:
- Enclosed space, inside the accommodation unit, with spaces specially designed for bicycles, secured at night (with security or 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 at any authorized tourist attraction, 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. Information for cyclists (print or electronic): routes in the area, information, weather conditions, etc.
Minimum criteria:
- General information, similar for all tourists visiting the tourist attraction.
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 certification of tourist attractions
For the Velo Popas certification, it is necessary to meet all the mandatory criteria. The additional criteria are recommended to facilitate the choice of stopping places for cycle tourists.
Below is a description of each additional criteria so you can more easily assess how well your facility meets the criteria or what elements are missing.
We encourage you to start the certification process even if you do not meet all the criteria. This way you can benefit from our assistance to choose the best option for both the cyclists and you.
1. The possibility of purchasing food and drinks
Minimum criteria:
- Automatic machines/sandwiches and drinks dispensers
- Grocery stores nearby
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. Possibility to wash / dry equipment / clothes
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 their equipment or to change.
3. 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.
4. Toilets for visitors
Minimum criteria:
- Paid toilets, clean and fully functional
Ideal criteria:
- Toilets and showers, with a changing room for changing and drying equipment
5. Regional tour options / bike trails
The existence of bicycle routes near the accommodation point can be a long-term advantage.
Minimum criteria:
- Access to 1-2 cycle routes, not very close to the tourist attraction
Ideal criteria:
- Multiple possibilities to go out by bike
- Marked trails
- Very close to the accommodation point
- Upload routes to your phone / GPS
- Guide services
6. Free Wi-Fi
This service is present in most accommodation units, restaurants, etc. and it can become an advantage for any tourist destination that makes it available to tourists.
7. Tourist or velo maps of the region (print or electronic)
Access to tourist maps of the region can be helpful in the longer stay of cycle tourists in the area and their return.
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