Urban bicycle tourism: path dependencies and innovation in Greater Copenhagen

Abstract

During the latest decade, a renaissance of bicycling in urban transportation has occurred in many Western European cities. This opens up for a development of bicycle tourism as a form of urban sustainable tourism, taking advantage of improved infrastructure and facilities for cycling tourists. The aim of this study is to conceptualise the dynamics behind the development of urban bicycle tourism. This development may be viewed as an innovative process based on incremental changes in local socio-technological mobility systems. An analytical framework is proposed, based on the following categories: urban planning, bicycle tourism services, communication, and place making. In the analysis, evidence from the Greater Copenhagen region is used to contextualise particularly these perspectives of the development of urban bicycle tourism. In each of the four categories, evidence of innovative services or procedures supporting bicycle tourism was found. However, the most important source of incremental innovation is likely to be found on a systemic level, between the actors in the destination. It is also argued that the development of urban bicycle tourism is highly path dependent, related to the local bicycle culture. Bicycle tourism should not be viewed as isolated from the locals' everyday cycling.

Sustainable Tourism in the Open Innovation Realm: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…Again, the thematic map also reveals that the term authenticity is connected with the food experience [85]. In these papers [86][87][88], authenticity always expresses the strategic exploitation of local resources since they have minor environmental impacts but, at the same time, they have two important implications in terms of marketing. The first is connected with the specific tourist products of a certain destination (i.e., the food and beverage tourist product, cultural and heritage tourist product, etc.).…”

“…The second marketing implication refers to promotion strategy since the communication is concentrated on the aspects of local authenticity. This, indeed, constitutes one strategic factor of differentiation practices and can contribute to the memorability of a place [89] Within the referring literature, the example of authenticity of culture in its different meanings, handicrafts, dance, music, literature, ceremonies, dress, food [90], authenticity of conventional historical heritage [88], and authenticity of local community [76,77] is highlighted.…”

Emerging Industry: Identifying the Effective Institutional Factors on the Exploitation of Entrepreneurial Opportunities of Sports Tourism Industry in Developing Countries

“…Marujo et al (2020) considered cultural tourism as one of the important branches of tourism that has a close relationship with other areas of tourism [55]. In Nelson's (2019) study, culture is considered as a momentous factor in promoting sustainable tourism with use of bicycles for intercity tourism, this was necessary to create a cycling culture among the people [56]. Increasing awareness among students about entrepreneurship in sports tourism may encourage them to be future entrepreneurs or/and help the spread of sports tourism in society.…”

Urban Planning Regulations for Tourism in the Context of Overtourism. Applications in Historic Centres

“…Of note is a special issue edited by Shoval [52] examining the interrelationship between urban planning and tourism consumption in European cities. Studies of Dubrovnik [53] and Budapest [54] have also contributed interesting reflections on urban planning and tourism development, while a study of Copenhagen has linked urban planning and cycle tourism [55]. In addition, planning has been related to guidelines on tourist accommodation in studies of cities such as Lisbon [56] and Prague [57].…”