Last summer, we had already had the opportunity to work on the Ciclovia della Memoria , a project that already had a solid foundation but was still in its infancy. Much has changed in recent months, and the success it enjoyed on April 25th has had a great impact , considering the places it touches, focal points of the Italian Resistance and beyond.
We're in Emilia Romagna, and celebrating moments filled with memories—difficult yet crucial to the very history of our country—has become almost a ritual. Doing so by bike, with its slow pace, ideal for reflection, is important; it's the very purpose for which the cycle path was designed . This route combines the landscape with the past, and has also been promoted by the ANPI ( National Association of Italian Partisans) by including it in the MEMO platform , the project of memories that encompasses everything related to the partisan struggle.
Work in progress, but already many bikes
What has changed since last summer, what has drawn so many people to ride that route? To find out more, we spoke with Paolo Negro , councilor leader of the Unione Comuni Modenesi Area Nord , one of the first proponents of the route and one who continues to work on it.
Compared to last summer, the section including the new cycle/pedestrian bridge over the Secchia River has been opened. It's beautiful and has already attracted a significant influx of cyclists to see this wonderful new development. We've noticed an increase in the number of cyclists arriving along the section of the cycle path that coincides with the Ciclovia del Sole. The progress made in the last year is that bit of overlap between the two: the Ciclovia del Sole had this missing section between Concordia, San Possidonio, and Mirandola . This construction project is nearing completion; in just a few weeks, we'll have a continuous stretch from the border with Lombardy to Mirandola.
This cycle path touches upon some very important points in the history of Italy in the mid-20th century, in the history of the Resistance…
Exactly, it's sort of the leitmotif of this route, which, however, doesn't only hark back to the middle of the last century. Through these kilometers, we want to tell the story of our region itself, through its rebirth after the devastating earthquake of 2012. So, not in terms of grief, but as a symbol of recovery, the memory of a wound that was there but that the people of this place wanted to heal. It's a journey of celebration, of admiration as well as of remembrance.
What is the overall length?
Considering that we're still talking about a "work in progress," once completed, it will have a total length of 120 kilometers, from Brescello to Bondeno . A line that tells so much about Italy's history: the agrarian struggles, the Resistance, day laborers, cooperatives, in short, the postwar development. But without forgetting its historical and cultural heritage.
In this regard, what are the main points of interest?
For example, the castles of Mirandola, San Felice, and Finale Emilia, but also the remains of the Este family, even if we're talking about monuments still seriously damaged by the earthquake, like the one in Mirandola . Which, it must be said, is already under construction, those in San Felice and Finale will be, without forgetting, however, symbolic places like Montesole, Marzabotto, and San Martino.
What kind of signal does it send that so many people came out to ride on April 25th?
The fact that this day can be spent visiting places significant to what April 25th represents, and certainly the area covered by the Ciclovia della Memoria, is a valuable asset in this regard. More and more people are choosing to spend their free time riding bicycles, both powered and e-bikes. It's not just visiting these places that is meaningful, but coming there by bike.
What stands out, besides the historical aspect of this journey?
I note the profound attraction of the cycle path, which extends for long stretches through a beautiful natural landscape that could theoretically be perceived as a threat, but also through the marvelous setting of the Secchia River . It has the characteristic of flowing with very high banks, precisely because when they fill, the water flowing through them must be contained to limit its destructive power. These banks are natural cycle paths, allowing you to admire a truly marvelous and unique natural landscape within the river.
What are the current needs for extending the cycle path's range?
The goal now is to have it fully recognized within the PRIT (Regional Transport Plan), which also includes the regional cycle mobility plan. This lower Po Valley cycle route should be identified as a fully recognized infrastructure by the Region , including it in the regional planning framework. At the same time, regional, national, and European resources should be allocated for its completion. A cycle route could be built that is the same length as the Treviso-Ostiglia route , which shares many similarities and is expected to be equally successful.
