Event recap · CycleSummit 2026

Groningen

3–6 October 2026 · The Netherlands

Business among friends in the cycling capital of the world.

From 3 to 6 October 2026, the international CycleSummit community met in Groningen – one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the world, where almost half of all journeys are made by bike. Around 200 tour operators, destinations and cycling travel professionals from 36 countries came together for four days of riding, 1:1 meetings and shared experiences.

Asked to describe Groningen in one word, participants answered “surprising”, “authentic”, “charming”, “vibrant” and “peaceful” – or simply “bike heaven”. For many it was their first visit to the north of the Netherlands, and the region turned out to be an unexpected discovery: open landscapes, endless cycle lanes and a lively, compact city where everything was within walking distance. 93 % said the host destination had a positive influence on their CycleSummit experience.

When

Sat 3 – Tue 6 October 2026

Marketplace

Martinikerk, Groningen

Participants

around 200 from 36 countries

Host region

Groningen, the Netherlands

Day by day

Riding, business & exchange.

Saturday · Oct

Arrival in Groningen

Participants arrived throughout Saturday, checked in at the partner hotels and took time to explore the city. In the evening the first CycleSummit dinner kicked off the event – a first opportunity for networking and for reconnecting with familiar faces.

Groningen is one of the world’s true cycling cities: since the traffic circulation plan of the 1970s, car traffic in the centre has been limited while cyclists move freely through the whole network.

The first dinner took place at The Market on the Grote Markt – right in the heart of the city.

Sunday · Oct

On the bike in Groningen

Everyone explored the province of Groningen by bike on three guided routes along the Dutch cycling junction network. All routes met for lunch at the former cardboard factory De Toekomst in Scheemda. Afterwards participants returned by bus – or cycled back on the optional 50 km route via Veendam and Borgerswold park.

For many participants the cycling day became the unexpected highlight of the summit – including a musician on a bike who surprised everyone at lunch.

Route 1

Groningen → Scheemda

Starting in the city, through natural landscapes and idyllic villages, past windmills and the manor house in Slochteren.

Route 2

Appingedam → Scheemda

Guided walk through historic Appingedam, parts of the Atlantic Wall Route and the International Dollard Route – and Europe’s longest cycling bridge.

Route 3

Bourtange → Scheemda

36 km from the star fortress of Bourtange via the windmill town of Winschoten.

Sunday evening

Reception at the Forum Groningen

In the evening the programme moved to the Forum Groningen. After Heiko Riekenberg’s welcome, Silvia Donatiello of Turismo de Gran Canaria and Patxi of Turismo de Navarra introduced the hosts of CycleSummit Sports 2027 and CycleSummit 2027, and René Paas, King’s Commissioner of the province of Groningen, welcomed the participants. The keynote by Molly Burke followed, and Sjoerdje Drijfholt presented the Fietscommunity Groningen, before the evening continued with dinner at De Drie Gezusters on the Grote Markt.

Molly Burke has been blind since the age of seven – and never lost her passion for cycling. Thanks to Pino bikes she can ride again today. Her inspiring keynote on inclusion stayed with the audience: in the feedback, 45 participants – almost two thirds – said it raised their awareness of inclusive cycling tourism or strongly inspired them to explore it.

Keynote

Molly Burke

Blind since the age of seven, passionate about cycling – an inspiring keynote on inclusion and on what it takes to make cycling travel open to everyone.

Province of Groningen

René Paas

The King’s Commissioner of the province of Groningen welcomed the international cycling travel community to the north of the Netherlands.

Next hosts

Silvia Donatiello & Patxi

Turismo de Gran Canaria and Turismo de Navarra presented CycleSummit Sports 2027 in Gran Canaria and CycleSummit 2027 in Pamplona.

Fietscommunity Groningen

Sjoerdje Drijfholt

How the city’s cycling community brings people, projects and ideas together around the bike.

Monday · Oct

Marketplace day 1

The first Marketplace day took place in the Martinikerk in the centre of Groningen. Tour operators, destinations and partners met for scheduled 1:1 meetings throughout the day, with coffee breaks and lunch for informal networking.

In the evening everyone went up to the roof of the Forum for a networking dinner with representatives of the whole region at restaurant NOK – with views over the city and the group photo of CycleSummit 2026.

Tuesday · Oct

Marketplace day 2

The second Marketplace day continued with further 1:1 meetings and relaxed networking – time to reconnect, finalise conversations and enjoy one last lunch together. In the afternoon many participants left for one of the Post-FamTrips through Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe.

What remained? 73 of 74 participants who gave feedback were satisfied or very satisfied overall, and every one of the 72 who rated the networking atmosphere was happy with it. Many praised the Martinikerk as a meeting venue – “I’ve been to lots of similar events, but this venue was the most beautiful of them all” – and above all the spirit: “the atmosphere and community feeling”, “the good vibes amongst all”. A big thank you to the city and province of Groningen and all partners who made this edition possible.

Post tours · 6–8 October 2026

The FamTrips.

Offered and organised by the host region and its partners, open to all tour operators who attended CycleSummit 2026.

Groningen

Culinary heritage & Wadden Sea

An evening ride with campfire dinner at De Biotoop, a culinary tour through mound villages such as Ezinge, wine tasting at Hof van ’t Hogeland and mudflat hiking in the UNESCO Wadden Sea.

Groningen · Drenthe

Cycling the Pieterpad

Three days from the Wadden Sea through Groningen into Drenthe, with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Eise Eisinga Planetarium. Operated by Boat Bike Tours.

Friesland

Water landscapes & historic towns

Leeuwarden’s historic centre, a ride along the famous “11 Cities” route through canals, lakes and countryside, and dinners with regional stakeholders.