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Soft Mobility and Geoheritage: E-Biking as a Tool for Sustainable Tourism in Mountain Environments

Author

Listed:
  • Antonella Senese

    (Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Manuela Pelfini

    (Department of Earth Sciences “A. Desio”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Piera Belotti

    (Regione Lombardia, 20124 Milan, Italy)

  • Luca Grimaldi

    (ERSAF Lombardia, 20124 Milan, Italy)

  • Guglielmina Diolaiuti

    (Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

The increasing popularity of e-biking and e-mountain biking offers new opportunities for sustainable tourism and environmental education, particularly in mountain regions. This study focuses on the Italy–Switzerland “E-Bike” project, which integrates e-bike-friendly routes with scientific and cultural education across the Alps. By analyzing key points of interest along the routes, particularly glaciers and earth pyramids in Lombardy, we explore strategies for sustainable management, conservation, and public engagement. Glaciers (Forni and Ventina), facing rapid retreat due to climate change, represent sensitive environments requiring monitoring and visitor regulation. Similarly, earth pyramids in Postalesio exemplify fragile landforms shaped by erosion, requiring visitor management. This study highlights the need for strategic promotion, clear scientific communication, and sustainable tourism practices to balance conservation with accessibility. E-biking facilitates low-impact exploration of geosites, enhancing public awareness of environmental challenges while minimizing ecological footprints. Innovative digital tools (QR-coded virtual guides) enhance visitor education and engagement. By integrating e-bike tourism with geoheritage conservation, this study proposes guidelines for managing soft mobility in mountain areas, combining conservation needs with accessibility, and fostering public engagement. These findings contribute to broader discussions on sustainable tourism development, offering a replicable model for other regions seeking to harmonize recreation with environmental stewardship.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonella Senese & Manuela Pelfini & Piera Belotti & Luca Grimaldi & Guglielmina Diolaiuti, 2025. "Soft Mobility and Geoheritage: E-Biking as a Tool for Sustainable Tourism in Mountain Environments," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-32, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jtourh:v:6:y:2025:i:2:p:106-:d:1673228
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniele Giordan & Martina Cignetti & Danilo Godone & Silvia Peruccacci & Emanuele Raso & Giacomo Pepe & Domenico Calcaterra & Andrea Cevasco & Marco Firpo & Patrizio Scarpellini & Marta Gnone, 2020. "A New Procedure for an Effective Management of Geo-Hydrological Risks across the “Sentiero Verde-Azzurro” Trail, Cinque Terre National Park, Liguria (North-Western Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Antonella Senese & Davide Maragno & Davide Fugazza & Andrea Soncini & Carlo D’Agata & Roberto Sergio Azzoni & Umberto Minora & Riaz Ul-Hassan & Elisa Vuillermoz & Mohammed Asif Khan & Adnan Shafiq Ran, 2018. "Inventory of glaciers and glacial lakes of the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP – Pakistan)," Journal of Maps, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(2), pages 189-198, November.
    3. Federico Pasquaré Mariotto & Kyriaki Drymoni & Fabio L. Bonali & Alessandro Tibaldi & Noemi Corti & Paolo Oppizzi, 2023. "Geosite Assessment and Communication: A Review," Resources, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Antonella Senese & Anees Ahmad & Maurizio Maugeri & Guglielmina Adele Diolaiuti, 2025. "Assessing the Carbon Footprint of the 2024 Italian K2 Expedition: A Path Towards Sustainable High-Altitude Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-15, January.
    5. Roberto Sergio Azzoni & Davide Fugazza & Marta Zennaro & Michele Zucali & Carlo D’Agata & Davide Maragno & Massimo Cernuschi & Claudio Smiraglia & Guglielmina Adele Diolaiuti, 2017. "Recent structural evolution of Forni Glacier tongue (Ortles-Cevedale Group, Central Italian Alps)," Journal of Maps, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 870-878, November.
    6. Andrea Ferrando & Francesco Faccini & Flavio Poggi & Paola Coratza, 2021. "Geosites Inventory in Liguria Region (Northern Italy): A Tool for Regional Geoconservation and Environmental Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, February.
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