- As part of the “Riding into the future” program, which promotes cycling for everyone, the “Cycle city of Tour de France” label concludes its sixth edition by reaching the symbolic milestone of 200 certified cities.
- This year, 25 cities obtained their certification, including 5 located outside mainland France, and 13 of them applying for the first time.
- The 2026 results are announced alongside the “Mai à Vélo” initiative, which highlights French municipalities committed to promoting cycling through various concrete actions.
- New for 2026: the label is being extended to regions, departments, and public establishments for intermunicipal cooperation.
6th EDITION OF THE “CYCLE CITY OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE ” LABEL: MORE THAN 200 CERTIFIED CITIES
Created in 2021, this initiative enables cities that host or have previously hosted the Grande Boucle, in its men’s or women’s version, or a Tour de France-labelled event (criterium or cyclosportive stage), to have their commitment to developing cycling in all its forms evaluated and rewarded. Whether French or international, rural or urban, cities applying for the label must highlight in their application all existing measures designed to encourage cycling and present their development plans (deployment of infrastructure, improvement of cyclist safety, training through the “Savoir rouler à vélo” program, parking and anti-theft measures, maintenance and repairs, etc.). All these measures contribute to the growth of cycling as a means of everyday transport, a source of leisure, or a sporting activity.
All applications are reviewed by Copenhagenize, a consultancy firm specialized in advising local authorities by providing innovative solutions to promote the bicycle as a means of transport.
THE “CYCLING CITY OF TOUR DE FRANCE” LABEL IN FIGURES
6th edition in 2026 203 labelled cities since 2021
12 different countries
More than 15 million inhabitants benefiting from the infrastructure
60% of the stage cities of the 2026 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift are certified (31 out of 51, including 15 this year).
CERTIFIED CITIES IN 2026
This year, 25 cities received the label, including 13 for the first time. Among them, 10 cities are located on the route of the 2026 Tour de France and 5 on that of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. This year’s selection includes the territories of both "Grand Départ" of the year, with the certification of Barcelona (3 bikes) and the reassessment of Lausanne (4 bikes).
Alongside Bédoin (2 bikes) and Malaucène (2 bikes), known for the daily passage of thousands of cyclists tackling Mont Ventoux, major metropolitan areas are also represented, such as Lyon (4 bikes) and Nice (3 bikes).
Beyond France’s borders, Vitoria-Gasteiz (4 bikes), which hosted the start of Stage 2 of the Tour de France in 2023 in the Basque Country; Esch-sur-Alzette (2 bikes) in Luxembourg, which hosted the Tour twice (1968 and 2006); Prachatice (1 bike), which hosted L’Étape Czech Republic by Tour de France in 2024 and 2025; and Sun Moon Lake (2 bikes) in Taiwan, where an Étape by Tour de France event will take place on October 3, all join the map of certified cities.
THE 2026 EDITION
25 candidate cities certified:
10 cities featured on the route of the 2026 Tour de France
5 cities featured on the route of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
10 cities outside the route
CERTIFICATION LEVELS OF THE CANDIDATE CITIES FOR THE 2026 AWARD SESSION
*cities featured on the route of the 2026 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
1 BIKE
Gavarnie-Gèdre*, Prachatice (Czech Republic), Verdun
2 BIKES
Bédoin*, Bergerac*, Colmar, Compiègne, Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxemburg), Évian-les-Bains*, Gevrey-Chambertin*, Hagetmau*, Malaucène*, Sun Moon Lake (Taïwan), Thonon-les-Bains*, Voiron*
3 BIKES
Barcelona* (Spain), Dole*, Épinal, Mulhouse*, Nevers*, Nice*, Orléans
4 BIKES
Lausanne* (Switzerland), Lyon, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain)
THE “CYCLE CITY” LABEL IS NOW BEING EXTENDED TO REGIONS, DEPARTMENTS, AND INTERMUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES
Building on the success achieved with cities over the past six years, the “Cycle city” label is now being opened to regions, departments, and public establishments for intermunicipal cooperation. This natural evolution makes it possible to recognize the commitment of local authorities on a broader scale, where major policies for territorial planning, mobility, and ecological transition are shaped.
Following the same model used for municipalities, these authorities may be awarded between 1 and 4 bikes, depending on the quality, consistency, and ambition of their cycling policy, whether in terms of infrastructure planning, territorial connectivity, or support for cycling practice.
By extending the label to these new territorial levels, the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift reaffirm their commitment to encouraging a collective and coordinated momentum in favor of cycling. Because it is at every territorial level that “Riding into the future” is being sustainably built. The results will be announced at the beginning of July, alongside the "Grand Départ" of the Tour de France in Barcelona.
