Wales Funds 54 Cycling Projects Ahead of Tour de France 2026

Key Points

• The Welsh Government is set to invest £4.5 million to boost cycling tourism in Wales ahead of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2027.
• As much as £3.19 million will be distributed between 54 projects via the Croeso i Feicwyr programme.
• The funds will go towards the development of cycling hubs, bicycle hire services, trail enhancements, cycle parking, maintenance stations, signage, visitor information, and electric bike charging facilities.
• Additionally, £1.3 million will assist the Croeso i Feicwyr: Business Ready Fund to support business and community organisations.
• The Business Ready Fund will enable cafés, pubs, restaurants, accommodation providers, visitor attractions, and community groups to become more cycle-friendly.
• £100,000 from the Croeso i Feicwyr programme will be spent on developing the Gateway Coastal Cycling Route in Holyhead in North Wales, led by the Isle of Anglesey County Council.
• £100,000 will be invested in developing cycling hubs in Welshpool, Newtown, Machynlleth, Llandrindod Wells, and Llanfyllin in Mid Wales, led by the Powys County Council.
• The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority in South Wales is set to receive £64,800 for the King of the Mountains Tour Circuit.

Wales (Wales Times) October 27, 2026 — Wales has announced a £4.5 million investment in cycling tourism as the country prepares to host the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2027, with funding intended to improve routes, facilities and visitor services while supporting local businesses across the nation.

The Welsh Government said the package is designed to attract visitors, support communities and create a lasting cycling legacy beyond the race itself. It includes £3.19 million for 54 projects under the Croeso i Feicwyr programme and £1.3 million for a new Business Ready Fund.

As reported by the Welsh Government, the investment will support improvements ranging from cycling hubs and bike-hire facilities to improved trails and e-bike charging. The announcement said the aim is to help visitors discover new routes, explore local attractions and make greater use of what communities across Wales have to offer.

What Does the £4.5 Million Investment Cover?

The £4.5 million package is divided into two main parts. The larger element, £3.19 million, has been awarded to 54 projects through Croeso i Feicwyr, a programme whose name translates as “Welcome to Cyclists”.

According to the Welsh Government, these projects will improve cycling facilities and help visitors explore Wales by bike. Funding can be used for cycling hubs, bike-hire facilities, trail improvements, cycle parking, repair stations, e-bike charging, signage and visitor information.

The remaining £1.3 million will fund the Croeso i Feicwyr: Business Ready Fund. The Welsh Government said this fund will be delivered through local authorities and will help businesses and community organisations make improvements such as cycle parking, e-bike charging and repair facilities.

The fund is intended to support cafés, pubs, restaurants, accommodation providers, visitor attractions and community organisations. Applications are expected to open through local authorities “in due course”, according to the Welsh Government announcement.

Why Is Wales Investing Before the 2027 Tour de France?

Wales is preparing to host part of the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2027. The Welsh Government has positioned the investment as part of wider work to leave a lasting health, sporting and economic legacy from the event.

As reported by Nation.Cymru, Adam Price, the Cabinet Secretary for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said: “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.”

In comments reported by the County Times, Mr Price said: “The Tour de France Grand Départ presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Wales.”

The Welsh Government has also said it wants the benefits of hosting a major international sporting event to continue after the race has finished. In an earlier announcement about the fund, Mr Price said: “I am determined that when Wales hosts major events of this scale, we put strong legacy plans in place so the benefits are felt long after the event itself.”

Which Projects Will Receive Funding?

The Welsh Government highlighted three projects in different parts of Wales as examples of how the funding will be used.

North Wales: Holyhead Coastal Route

In North Wales, £100,000 will support Holyhead’s Gateway Coastal Cycling Route. The project will be delivered by Isle of Anglesey County Council.

According to the Welsh Government, the route will strengthen cycling connections from one of Wales’ key gateway destinations. It is intended to make it easier for residents and visitors to explore Anglesey’s coastline, communities and attractions by bicycle, while creating more opportunities for local tourism businesses.

Mid Wales: Five Cycling Hubs in Powys

In Mid Wales, £100,000 will create a network of cycling hubs across Welshpool, Newtown, Machynlleth, Llandrindod Wells and Llanfyllin. The North Powys Cycle Hubs project will be delivered by Powys County Council.

The Welsh Government said the hubs will provide cycle parking, repair stations, bike-wash facilities, e-bike charging and visitor information. The project is intended to help cyclists visit nearby attractions, including Powis uk/local/swansea/castle/">Castle and the National Cycle Museum, while encouraging visitors to spend in local communities.

As reported by the County Times, the Powys scheme forms part of the wider £3.19 million package being shared among 54 cycling tourism projects across Wales.

South Wales: King of the Mountains Circuit

In South Wales, cyclists will be able to follow a route inspired by the Tour de France through the King of the Mountains Tour Circuit. The project has received £64,800 through Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority.

The Welsh Government said the circuit takes inspiration from the Tour’s famous climbing competition. Bilingual markers are planned for challenging climbs including Epynt, Rhigos, Penrhys and Maerdy.

According to the announcement, the circuit is intended to encourage cycling enthusiasts to take on the climbs themselves, while giving visitors more reasons to stop, stay and explore nearby communities.

How Will Wales Promote Cycling in 2027?

The investment comes as Wales prepares for the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2027. Visit Wales is also set to mark 2027 as the Year of Cycling.

The Welsh Government said plans include a flagship campaign, a first-of-its-kind interactive mapping tool bringing together cycling routes and destinations, and projects working with businesses and communities. These measures are intended to showcase Wales as a cycling destination and encourage visitors to explore more of the country on two wheels.

As reported by Road.cc, the interactive mapping tool will bring together cycling routes and “world-class destinations”, while business and community projects will help promote Wales as a cycling destination.

What Have Officials Said About the Legacy?

Welsh Government ministers have repeatedly linked the funding to the idea of a long-term legacy. The government said the investment should help attract visitors, support local businesses and create benefits that remain after the Tour de France has left Wales.

As reported by Nation.Cymru, Mr Price said the investment would encourage more people to explore Wales by bicycle and help local businesses benefit from growing cycling tourism.

In the Welsh Government’s earlier announcement of the fund, Mr Price said the Tour de France would give Wales a platform to promote the country internationally, attract visitors and investment, encourage healthier and more active lifestyles, and create opportunities for communities and businesses.

The Welsh Government has described the Grand Départ as an opportunity to ensure that major events leave infrastructure and benefits in place after spectators and teams have departed.

What Is the Croeso i Feicwyr Programme?

Croeso i Feicwyr is the Welsh Government’s cycling tourism programme, associated with Visit Wales’ existing “Welcome to Cyclists” branding. The programme is designed to improve cycling facilities and routes across Wales ahead of the 2027 Grand Départ.

The latest announcement confirms that 54 projects have received a share of £3.19 million under the programme. The projects cover facilities and experiences intended to make it easier for visitors to cycle around Wales and spend time in local communities.

The programme also includes the £1.3 million Business Ready Fund, which will be administered through local authorities. The Welsh Government said this part of the investment is specifically aimed at helping businesses and community organisations welcome more cyclists.

Background of the Development

Wales’ connection to the 2027 Tour de France forms the immediate background to this announcement. The Welsh Government first announced the £4.5 million Croeso i Feicwyr Fund in July 2026, saying it would improve cycling tourism infrastructure and help create a lasting health, sporting and economic legacy from the Grand Départ.

At that stage, the government said cyclists and communities across Wales would benefit from the investment. It also emphasised that the fund was part of wider preparations for Wales hosting the Tour de France in 2027.

The October announcement provides further detail on how the money is being allocated. It confirms that 54 projects will share £3.19 million, while £1.3 million will be made available through the Business Ready Fund.

Separate coverage of the Tour de France Grand Départ has reported that the United Kingdom is expected to spend a reported £65 million on the 2027 race and legacy projects. Within that wider context, Wales has allocated £4.5 million specifically for cycling tourism infrastructure.

The Welsh Government has also previously confirmed that Wales will welcome the Tour de France during its planned Year of Cycling in 2027.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Welsh Tourism Businesses

For tourism businesses in Wales, the development could increase demand for cycle-friendly services in the period before, during and after the 2027 Grand Départ. The Welsh Government’s funding is specifically intended to help cafés, pubs, restaurants, accommodation providers, attractions and community organisations provide facilities such as cycle parking, e-bike charging and repair services.

Businesses in areas receiving direct investment, including Holyhead, Powys and the Bannau Brycheiniog area, may see improved cycling infrastructure that makes their locations easier for visitors to reach and explore. The Welsh Government has said the projects are intended to encourage visitors to stop, stay and spend in surrounding communities.

For accommodation providers, the Business Ready Fund could create an opportunity to attract cycling visitors by offering secure bike storage and charging facilities. For cafés, pubs and restaurants, improved cycle parking and repair facilities could make them more practical stops for cyclists travelling between destinations.

For local authorities and community organisations, the funding may support the development of cycling hubs and visitor information services that connect attractions with nearby towns and villages. The Welsh Government has said the investment is intended to help visitors discover routes and local attractions, which could spread visitor spending beyond major tourist centres.

The wider effect will depend on how quickly the funded projects are delivered, how effectively businesses apply for the Business Ready Fund, and whether the 2027 Grand Départ generates sustained cycling tourism after the event. The Welsh Government has said its objective is to ensure the benefits are felt long after the race has finished.