Lost Sheep and Sunny Paths: Chronicles from the Cavallino Treporti Bike Track.

No, this isn't your typical post telling you how beautiful the longest cantilevered bike path in Europe is...

I've always suspected that bike paths in Italy are designed by people who have never actually... well, let's just say by people who have never ridden a bike in their lives. And I think I might be right.

Have you heard about the recently completed cantilevered path in Cavallino Treporti? Join me on this ride as I show you the beauty, but above all, the critical flaws of this route.

First of all, you should know that Cavallino-Treporti is the first seaside destination in Veneto to obtain the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) international certification, marking it as a commune that promotes sustainable tourism. However, several trees were chopped down to build certain sections of the path—a bit of a contradiction, don't you think? You can read a protest article here.

But let's talk about the ride itself: everything is fine as long as you stay on the path from start to finish. Can you handle 12 km in the scorching sun with no shaded rest areas and only 3 water fountains  to refill your  water bottle? Perfect!!

But what if you need to take a detour? That's where the trouble starts. I’ve put together a photo gallery of the issues that pop up in several spots.

---

Signage and Visual Impact: What looks wrong here? In my opinion, traffic directions and speed limits should be better marked. Plus, that concrete wall on the right is quite an eyesore and ruins the poetic vibe of the landscape.

Forgotten Access Points: Residents here are forced to ride on the main road just to reach the path safely, as no entrance or bike crossings were planned. You might say, "they couldn't make an entrance for every house!"—but not even for a junction with another main road?

Total Confusion: Here is a crossing that leads absolutely nowhere. To make matters worse, the sign is outdated, dating back to when construction was still underway. The result? People just end up confused.

The Reality Check: I took these photos to show that many cyclists still prefer the main road. If a multi-million euro project isn't being used by the people it was built for, maybe we should ask some questions about its practicality.

Unmarked Hazard: A hairpin turn on a bike path? There isn't a single sign warning of the sharp change in direction. For those going a bit too fast or unfamiliar with the route, the risk of taking a tumble is very high.

Local Folklore (or Neglect?): Here we have some "lost sheep" and their shepherd. For those who don't know, they are part of a beautiful floating nativity scene, a local attraction. It's a shame that Easter is almost here and they are still there, seemingly abandoned along the way...

---

But still, what a view...

Despite everything, I couldn't end without this image. The view of our lagoon remains unique and breathtaking. It is precisely because we love this land that we want to see it enhanced with intelligence and attention to detail.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article reflect the author's personal views based on direct experience. This post is intended for constructive criticism and local reporting. All images were taken in public places. This post contains affiliate links.