A cyclists’ motorway from Turin to Venice has come a step closer after Italy’s culture and tourism minister approved the idea.
Massimo Bray praised the concept, saying it was an important initiative that could be an example of sustainable development for the rest of Italy.
The 422-mile cycle path, known as the VenTo, that would run alongside the river Po, has been in discussion for three years. Paolo Pileri, a spokesman for the project, said: “The government is starting to say: ‘this is interesting’.” As Italy begins to see faint signs of recovery in its longest recession since the Second World War, the VenTo could provide 2,000 jobs and offset the €80 million (£68 million) cost of construction with a €100 million (£84 million) boost to the economy through tourism.
“[We want] to show the country that out of the landscape, cultural heritage and ‘healthy’ tourism can come a significant response to the [economic] crisis, which should not be sniffed at,” Mr Pileri said.
