A large number of cyclists braved unseasonably cold and rainy weather at the 14th Giro di Sarajevo on Sunday 15 September to promote cycling as a sport and as a form of sustainable transport. This was the first event organised by associations and local authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark European Mobility Week, which will last until 22 September.
European Mobility Week is the European Union’s flagship initiative to raise awareness of sustainable urban mobility. This initiative promotes behavioural changes in favour of active mobility, public transport and other clean, intelligent transport solutions. An increasing number of initiatives are being organised in the framework of European Mobility Week across Europe and beyond.
This year’s theme of the European Mobility Week is “Shared Public Space” with the slogan “Mix and move!” This reflects on the benefits of shared public space for the society – more social equity, more road safety, less noise and air pollution and better quality of life. This year, European Mobility Week activities focus on inviting societies to reimagine shared space to ensure everyone can move around safely in pleasant environments, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
There are a number of activities across Bosnia and Herzegovina that are organised in the framework of European Mobility Week in addition to the Giro di Sarajevo.
The popular and traditional leisure ride “Two Wheels are Enough” will make this year’s Car Free Day in Banja Luka on 22 September. One of the goals of this activity is to highlight the need to provide cyclists with urban cycle paths and the right to equal and active participation in traffic. On the same day, the Fourth Mostar Bike Ride will be held. Activities are also planned in Bijeljina, Gradiška, Ugljevik and Zavidovići.
All citizens are invited to join official activities or to organise their own. European Mobility Week is conceived as a call to action that inspires local authorities and organisations to raise citizens’ awareness of new ways to get around cities. Together, in small steps, we can all move towards a zero-emissions future if it becomes our shared concern and responsibility. There are healthier and smarter ways we can move around cities while reducing pollution – let’s move actively, walk and cycle safely and use public transport!, EU in BiH states.
Photo: EU in BiH
