Fine spring weather has caused a great number of cyclists to flood the streets of Ljubljana.

However, dense traffic on city cycle lanes calls for more attention and sensitivity of city road users.

Ljubljana with its recent infrastructural improvements is becoming a cyclist-friendly city. Cyclists are especially pleased that their needs are taken into account in every new road construction or renovation, and are also delighted to see the increasing number of bicycle parking racks in the public places. Therefore it is not surprising that the share of bicycle trips is increasing.

The Municipality Traffic Department projects that the current 13 % of bicycle rides will most probably leap to 40 % by 2020. The popular self-service rent-a-bike system Bicike(LJ) already boasting with over 1.7 million rides and a host of infrastructure innovations contribute to the growing number of cyclists in Ljubljana.

One of the more important cycling measures undertaken in the past year is the change of traffic regime in the Slovenska Street, between Šubičeva Street and Gosposvetska Road. Before this regime, a bicycle ride was forbidden in the north direction, whereas now the cyclists are allowed to ride in both directions. This route is also a good choice to avoid dense pedestrian zones where the cycling is difficult. These areas are primarily intended for pedestrians and the cyclists need to pay special attention in this regard. That is also the main reason the area is called “Zone of Consideration” in the Champ project. In cooperation with the Ljubljana Cycling Network, “For a City on Two” initiative and Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia various actions have already been organized and the leaflet with recommended bypasses has been prepared including the map of cycling routes around the pedestrian zones.

Soon, more information will follow on the achievements, statistical data, measurements and plans in the first cyclists’ chronicle which is being prepared in the scope of the Champ project.

We believe that plenty of locals and also visitors to Ljubljana will go for a bicycle ride and see for themselves its numerous advantages: bicycles are cheap, they cause no air or noise pollution, occupy little place, promote social interactions, help to maintain a good physical condition, etc.