Bett & Bike: certified cycling accommodation

The VELOREGIO project is the first in Hungary to offer certified cyclist-friendly accommodation in the Western Region for hikers and excursionists, especially for tourists on bikes. The birthplace of the criteria is Germany, and the Allgemeine Deutsche Fahrrad Club (General German Cycling Club) has summarised with its usual precision and thoroughness what is needed by those looking for accommodation during their cycling tours.

Guaranteed quality and services

This is how the Bett & Bike label was born, a sign and guarantee for cycling tourists that they have arrived in a place where they can not only relax but also enjoy a variety of services. The Bett & Bike quality assurance scheme for cycling tourism sets strict mandatory and optional criteria for accommodation. In return for compliance, the mark is a recommendation to hikers and cyclists - in Germany, where cycling tourism has a long tradition, cyclists specifically seek out hotels and inns like this.  

The mandatory criteria:

1. Providing overnight accommodation for cycling tourists

Cycling tourists often cycle from place to place, covering the planned route in stages. This means that they stay in different accommodation after each stage. In many cases, the decision on where to stay is made spontaneously and at short notice, often influenced by the weather. Cycling tourists therefore have a specific expectation of 1 night's accommodation.

2. Lockable room for safe storage of bicycles

The most important requirement for cycling tourists is that their bicycles are stored in a secure and covered place in the accommodation. The bicycle-friendly accommodation provider must therefore provide, free of charge, a room either on the ground floor or accessible by ramp, lift or elevator.

3. Provision of a room for drying clothes and equipment

Cycling tourists often arrive sweaty or in soaked clothes. They need a place to dry their clothes and equipment. The criterion requires the accommodation provider to provide a room where a clothesline or clothes drying rack is provided for drying cyclists' clothing. This room should ideally be lockable and heated.

4. Provision of a full breakfast or breakfast preparation facilities

As cycling tourists are active and constantly on the move, they need a complete breakfast rich in vitamins and carbohydrates, such as wholegrain products, cereals, fruit and juices. Any accommodation that does not provide breakfast for its guests should provide cooking facilities (kitchen) and a list of nearby shopping facilities.

5. Providing information on the tourist attractions of the area

Cycling maps and guides help cyclists to discover the sights of the area. It is sufficient to display only 1 regional cycling map and, if available, a local attraction map, a brochure with a description of the excursion destinations.

6. Provision of bicycle tool kit and bicycle service connection

Minor repairs can be carried out by the cyclists themselves, so a basic tool kit should be provided at the accommodation. The ADFC recommends a toolbox or tool box containing tools exclusively for repairing bicycles - listed with German precision. In the event of repairs that cannot be carried out locally with a tool kit, the accommodation should have the contact details of a nearby bicycle repair shop that can be contacted immediately in the event of a major accident.

Mandatory criteria:

You must meet at least 3 of the following criteria. These 3 criteria are optional for the accommodation provider.

• - Proposals for environmentally friendly transport to and from the airport (trains or buses that can carry bicycles.
• - Providing transfer.
• - Rental of good quality bicycles.
• - E-bike and Pedelec rental.
• - E-bike and Pedelec charging stations.
• - Daily tour offers.
• - Package transfer to your next accommodation.
• - Cooperation with a bicycle repair shop.
• - Rental of navigation equipment.
• - Provision of free wifi service
• - Providing a packed lunch.

More information in German is available here: www.bettundbike.de