Contribución al análisis del impacto de la creación de una red de vías ciclistas en la economía local y en la imagen turística de las ciudades. El caso de Sevilla

This paper analyzes the impact of the creation of a continuous network of segregated cycle paths on local economy and on the touristic image of cities, through the case study of the city of Seville by developing a methodology that could be applied to the analysis of other similar experiences. The implementation of a network of bike tracks in the city from 2007 onwards led to the revitalization of a sector, quite marginal until that date, turning it into a dynamic and growing sector in an environment of economic crisis, with high job creation rates per euro billed, something quite beneficial in a city with high rates of unemployment. The impact of the creation of the mentioned network of cycle paths in the touristic image of the city, something very important given the relevance of the tourism in its economy, is apparent from the inclusion of the aforementioned infrastructure in the main international tourist guides of the city. The microanalysis of the opinions of the visitors, users of said infrastructure, evidences a positive valuation, and its high multiplier power as an argument for recommending Seville as a tourist destination in their immediate social environments. However, some deficiencies that should still be corrected are detected, such as conservation problems, or the low level of knowledge of such infrastructure at the international level.