Electric Bicycles: A Solution to Novi Pazar’s Traffic Jams

Although not as large as Belgrade, Novi Sad or Niš, Novi Pazar is one of the cities in Serbia where driving has become a real ordeal, and frequent traffic gridlock has turned everyday activities, such as commuting to work, into a daily challenge.

This problem is further compounded by Novi Pazar’s narrow streets and alleys, a lack of sufficient parking spaces, and non-functional public transport, so residents of this largely hilly city are increasingly turning to alternative modes of transport, such as cycling.

For this reason, the Novi Pazar local government joined the “CityMove” project, supported through the “Interreg IPA ADRION” programme, which aims to improve and promote urban mobility through the development and testing of new, innovative, sustainable and practical solutions.

As part of the project, Novi Pazar was given the opportunity to implement pilot infrastructure for electric bicycle use: two charging stations were procured and installed, each with seven bicycle slots, along with 10 electric bicycles for residents to rent.

“These bikes are a lifesaver. I get a headache when I have to drive across town, especially in the summer months when traffic is at its worst. This way it’s much faster, easier, no stress. It’s also a kind of exercise, healthier too. If only residents would take a bit better care of these donated bicycles,” says Damir.

One of the bicycle stations has been set up at the entrance to the covered parking area by the “Vrbak” hotel, in the centre of Novi Pazar, which is very useful for drivers who leave their cars there.

“All users of our services, that is, everyone who parks their car in this parking lot, can use a bicycle the whole time their vehicle is parked here. It’s also worth pointing out that residents who own electric bicycles can use these stations to charge them free of charge,” said Nermin Ljajić, director of the public utility company JKP “Parking servis”.

Project coordinator Tarik Rupić adds that Novi Pazar’s leadership is aware of the traffic problems.

“We are aware of the constant congestion in the city centre, which is why we set up these stations at two key locations in the centre, so that residents can use bicycles for their needs. I would just appeal to residents to take care of these stations and bicycles. This is a pilot project, and we want it to go well so that in the coming period we can acquire more stations and bicycles, and at least partly solve the traffic problem in the city centre,” said Rupić.

The “CityMove” project is being implemented in seven other cities: Bar (Montenegro), Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Biograd na Moru (Croatia), Sveti Nikole (North Macedonia), Gubbio (Italy), Kantanos-Selino and Chania (Greece), and Mat (Albania).

The total value of the project is over €1.3 million, of which €154,000 has been allocated for implementing activities in Novi Pazar.

“Alongside the infrastructure component, work is underway on a Local Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, which will build on the existing traffic study and give the City a foundation for developing new solutions and future projects in sustainable mobility. Novi Pazar will also be included in a joint mobile app featuring cycling and walking routes across all nine partner cities, and a GPX route with coordinates has already been defined for Novi Pazar, which will be made available to residents,” says Rupić.

As part of the project, Novi Pazar is also taking part in marking European Mobility Week, during which a Car Free Day and a recreational bicycle race will be organized this year, along with promotional sets and gifts for participants, aimed at promoting cycling, walking and other alternative modes of transport.