Tuesday 27 Oct 2026, 11:00

Wales' cycling tourism gets a Grand Départ with £4.5m investment

Cymru’n troi’r pedalau tuag at Grand Départ y Tour de France

£4.5 million investment to boost cycling tourism across Wales ahead of the Tour de France Grand Départ 2027, helping attract visitors, support local businesses and create a lasting cycling legacy
54 projects awarded a share of £3.19 million, funding improvements from cycling hubs and bike hire facilities to improved trails and e-bike charging
£1.3 million Croeso i Feicwyr: Business Ready Fund will help businesses and community organisations become more cycle-friendly

Wales is gearing up for the Tour de France Grand Départ 2027, with £4.5 million in Welsh Government investment to boost cycling tourism, attract visitors and support local economies.

The investment includes £3.19 million awarded to 54 projects through the Croeso i Feicwyr programme, improving cycling facilities and helping visitors discover new routes, explore local attractions and make the most of what communities have to offer.

A further £1.3 million will support the new Croeso i Feicwyr: Business Ready Fund, helping businesses and community organisations become more welcoming to cyclists.

From coastal cycling connections in Anglesey to mountain climbs in the south, the investment aims to ensure the excitement of the Tour de France leaves a lasting legacy long after the riders have crossed the finish line.

Among the projects benefiting from the investment:

In North Wales, £100,000 will support Holyhead's Gateway Coastal Cycling Route, strengthening cycling connections from one of Wales' key gateway destinations. Delivered by Isle of Anglesey County Council, the project will make it easier for residents and visitors to explore the island's coastline, communities and attractions by bike, while bringing more opportunities for local tourism businesses.

In Mid Wales, £100,000 will create a network of cycling hubs across Welshpool, Newtown, Machynlleth, Llandrindod Wells and Llanfyllin. Delivered by Powys County Council, the North Powys Cycle Hubs project will provide cycle parking, repair stations, bike-wash facilities, e-bike charging and visitor information. The hubs will help cyclists discover nearby attractions, including Powis Castle and the National Cycle Museum, while encouraging visitors to explore and spend in local communities.

And in South Wales, cyclists will be able to follow in the tyre tracks of the Tour de France through the King of the Mountains Tour Circuit. Backed by £64,800 through Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, the project takes inspiration from the Tour's famous climbing competition, with bilingual markers planned for challenging climbs including Epynt, Rhigos, Penrhys and Maerdy. The circuit will encourage cycling enthusiasts to take on the climbs themselves, while giving visitors more reasons to stop, stay and explore the surrounding communities.

Businesses and community organisations will also be able to get cycle-ready through the £1.3 million Croeso i Feicwyr: Business Ready Fund.

Delivered through local authorities, the fund will support cafés, pubs, restaurants, accommodation providers, visitor attractions and community organisations to make improvements such as cycle parking, e-bike charging and repair facilities.

The support will help businesses welcome more cyclists and make the most of the opportunities presented by the Grand Départ, with applications opening through local authorities in due course.

The investment comes as Wales prepares to take centre stage for the Tour de France Grand Départ 2027, with Visit Wales also set to mark 2027 as the Year of Cycling.

A flagship campaign, a first-of-its-kind interactive mapping tool bringing together cycling routes and world-class destinations, and projects working with businesses and communities will help showcase Wales as a cycling destination and encourage visitors to explore more of the country on two wheels.

Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price said:

“The Tour de France Grand Départ presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Wales.

“As we prepare to welcome the world's biggest cycling race, we're investing in facilities and experiences that will encourage more people to explore Wales on two wheels, while helping local businesses benefit from growing cycling tourism.

“From coastal routes and community cycling hubs to some of Wales' most challenging climbs, these projects will help turn the excitement of the Tour into lasting opportunities for communities.

“We want the benefits to be felt long after the race has finished, creating a lasting tourism, sporting and economic legacy for Wales.”

Notes to editors

Projects awarded funding through the Croeso i Feicwyr programme include:

Vale of Glamorgan Council – Porthkerry Country Park Family Cycle Hire Hub (£17,620)
Monmouthshire County Council – Welcoming Cyclists to Monmouthshire's Cultural and Leisure Visitor Attractions (£40,830)
Vale of Glamorgan Council – VoG Cycling Visitor Infrastructure Programme (£51,360)
Powys County Council – North Powys Cycle Hubs (£100,000)
Powys County Council – South Powys Cycle Hubs Project (£100,000)
Bridgend County Borough Council – Bryngarw Cycle Hub Water Refill Station (£4,210)
Powys County Council – Welshpool Connected Cycling Hubs and Pola Bikes (£44,950)
Eryri National Park Authority – Improving Cycling Infrastructure in Eryri (£48,758)
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council – Taff Trail Merthyr - The Climb (£78,212)
Bridgend County Borough Council – Porthcawl Bike Hire Locker (£50,125)
Vale of Glamorgan Council – Bike Hire Barry Island (£52,544)
Carmarthenshire County Council – Carmarthenshire Museum and Parc yr Esgob Cycling Destination (£24,648)
Eryri National Park Authority – The Mawddach Trail - Improving the Cycling Experience (£25,032)
Conwy County Borough Council – Cycle Parking Improvements at Bodnant Garden (£3,884)
Cardiff Council – E Bike Charger Stations (£32,000)
Cardiff Council – Secure Cycle Lockers (£90,000)
Cardiff Council – Bike Maintenance Stations (£28,000)
Swansea Council – Swansea Bay Cyclists Welcome Infrastructure Network (£32,000)
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority – King of the Mountains Tour Circuit (£64,800)
Monmouthshire County Council – County-wide National Cycle Network and Town Centre Links Sign Update (£81,770)
Gwynedd Council – O'r Mynydd I'r Mor (£86,848)
Gwynedd Council – O'r Llechi I'r Lli (£77,952)
Cardiff Council – Wayfinding Signs for Cyclists (£64,000)
Bridgend County Borough Council – BC Bike Repair Stations (£32,460)
Carmarthenshire County Council – Nantgaredig Cycle Hub (£80,000)
Caerphilly County Borough Council – Welcome to Caerphilly: Town Centre Cycling Infrastructure (£100,000)
Carmarthenshire County Council – Carmarthenshire Sustainable Bikecation Network (£100,000)
Torfaen County Borough Council – Pontypool – The Link Cycling Gateway (£100,000)
Cardiff Council – Welcome Boundary Signs (£100,000)
Bridgend County Borough Council – Bridgend Town Centre Bike Hire Lockers (£50,125)
Vale of Glamorgan Council – VoG Cycle Welcome Hubs (£32,000)
Flintshire County Council – Sightsee and Cycle: Gweld Golygfeydd a Beicio – Flintshire Coast Park (£22,340)
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council – Merthyr Moves - Town Centre and Discovery Sites (£80,720)
Newport City Council – Tredegar House (£14,814)
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council – Ride, Rest, Refill: NPT Cycling Welcome Hubs (£80,000)
Carmarthenshire County Council – Carmarthenshire National Trust Cycling Improvements (£15,880)
Eryri National Park Authority – Gwefru'r Goedwig / Betws y Coed Ebikes (£48,792)
Cardiff Council – E Cargo Bikes (£40,000)
Caerphilly County Borough Council – Welcome to Caerphilly: Cycling Landmarks and Signage (£81,200)
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority – Govilon Line for Cycling (£80,000)
Ceredigion County Council – Lampeter Pump Track Amenities (£22,380)
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council – The Great Valleys of Wales Cycling Bike Stations and Visitor Hubs (£36,400)
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority – Taff Trail (£33,600)
Ceredigion County Council – Ystwyth Trail Enhancement (£100,000)
Isle of Anglesey County Council – Holyhead Gateway Coastal Cycling Route Enhancement (£100,000)
Vale of Glamorgan Council – Station to Destination (£60,000)
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council – Lakeside Cycleway at Parc Bryn Bach (£59,784)
Caerphilly County Borough Council – Cycle Caerphilly: Connected Cycling Destinations, Wayfinding and Visitor Infrastructure (£99,975)
Pembrokeshire County Council – Discover Pembrokeshire by Bicycle – A Connected Cycling Tourism Experience (£80,000)
Swansea Council – Swansea Aerodrome Cycling Centre (£80,000)
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority – Ashford Tunnel – A Safer Path (£80,000)
Isle of Anglesey County Council – Connecting People, Places and Experiences (£79,664)
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council – Sustainable Solar E-Bike Charging Network for Blaenau Gwent (£68,000)
Conwy County Borough Council – Llanrwst Agored (£36,720)