The bicitren: an innovative tourism proposal for the province of Cotopaxi, Ecuador La bicitren, una propuesta innovadora de turismo para la provincia de Cotopaxi, Ecuador

Abstract

The Bicitren: an innovative practice of sports and adventure tourism, a new alternative for visitors in the Cotopaxi Province, primarily aiming to make adventure and sustainability the main axes in the region. The Bicitren is considered a collective transport that combines two eco-friendly vehicles: the mountain bike and the train, with the railway line being a central element as it tells the story of connectivity that Ecuador had, and the bicycle being a vehicle used for both transportation and sport; regular bicycles can be adapted for rail biking, together utilized to create tourism. The Bicitren represents a form of special interest tourism, not mass tourism, aimed at environmentally conscious, ecological, social, and cultural visitors. The objective is for visitors to choose this healthy sport in contact with nature, while enthusiasts avoid polluting means of transportation. Its design consists of a route for all segments according to the field of study, devoid of technical jargon, with a variety of climatic conditions, geography, and microclimates. Emphasis is placed on local knowledge according to the level of experience. The research was conducted between the sections of Latacunga and Laguna de Yambo, through on-site data collection to highlight this innovative tourism proposal.