The history of cycling in Kolašin, a document that is currently under public discussion, should create the conditions for cycling to be an equal and safe way of performing daily duties and an established form of recreation in that city.
In order to realize that vision, as written in the document, it is necessary to establish better conditions on several levels. The authors of the document expect that it will contribute to the strengthening of Kolasin's tourist offer. The research that preceded the preparation of the Strategy showed that the people of Kolasin did not prefer cycling until now.
"Bicycles are less common as a means of transportation in Kolašin, although the number of bicycle users increased during the new coronavirus pandemic. In the preparation of the strategy, a survey of the travel habits of the citizens of Kolašin was conducted, which included 328 respondents of all ages. The survey showed that people from Kolašin prefer to move on foot (54,6 percent) or by car (32,3 percent), while the number of people who use bicycles for transportation is negligible and moves only around 0,3 percent," writes Strategy.
In addition, the authors of the Strategy conclude, the Kolasin infrastructure is unsuitable for cyclists. They only have the road at their disposal, which "makes them vulnerable road users, which is why many are discouraged from using that means of transport". Kolašin has only one bike path along the promenade next to Tara. However, that path is neither completed nor connected to the city center.
In addition, it was stated that there are still not enough parking spaces for bicycles in the city, especially in the very center, and in municipal documents, cycling is not equal to other forms of mobility.
"An immediate challenge is also represented by the regional roads, the construction of which is in progress. This, first of all, refers to the future highway from Podgorica to Mateševo and the Lubnica-Jezerina road, after the opening of which the increased pressure of motor traffic on the urban core of Kolašin is expected. In Kolašin, there was no study of the assessment of the impact of the highway and the Lubnica-Jezerina road on mobility in the urban center of Kolašin," writes the Strategy.
Numerous measures are planned that will lead to better conditions for cyclists. First of all, it is planned to adjust planning documents, subsidize the purchase of bicycles, improve the infrastructure, create a map of bicycle tours...
"In order to increase the number of people who use bicycles, the Municipality can subsidize the purchase of bicycles through public calls, projects and similar actions. This would encourage citizens, especially those with lower financial status, to buy a bicycle and thus contribute to better traffic in the city. If the municipal budget allows, the purchase of electric bicycles can be subsidized, which have additional advantages compared to regular ones, which is a special benefit for the elderly and people with health problems, such as obesity or diabetes," the Strategy recommended.
Special attention is paid to the possibility of Kolašin becoming a recognizable destination for cycle tourism. In addition to other benefits related to this form of tourism, it is written in Staregia that it would be a huge potential for the development of rural areas.
"Namely, cycle tourists on their trips most often visit remote and rural areas, and in that way they directly contribute to the development of the local economy, and especially small local businesses. That is why precisely those tourist destinations that have taken concrete measures to attract cycle tourists have achieved enormous economic benefits. The municipality of Kolašin has a great potential for the development of cycle tourism", it was stated in the Strategy.
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