Improving access to cycling in Zagreb

Apr 12, 2025Croatia, Inspiring initiative, Sustainable Mobility

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Improving access to urban cycling in Zagreb (Croatia)

Sindikat biciklista (Cylclists’ Union) is a voluntary association which promotes bike use as an efficient, sustainable and healthy form of mobility. It focuses on promoting cycling mobility in the city of Zagreb (Croatia), and improves access to cycling for vulnerable social groups. Cyclists’ Union also advocates a broader transformation of cities into clean, safe and pleasant spaces, which are based on the promotion of cycling as a desirable transport mode.

As its core activities, the association organises cycling festivals and critical mass rides (last held at the end of June 2022), provides education about safe and compassionate urban cycling, as well as lobbies for better infrastructure and legislation. The initiative aims to include the whole community in urban mobility planning through cyclist visibility campaigns, as well as through training and education for participative urban planning processes.

Benefits for cycling-shy and cycling-poor citizens
Various vulnerable groups are alienated from cycling for different reasons. From a gender+ perspective, some citizens still consider cycling to be a sport or recreational activity unsuitable for daily use. Moreover, low income families living in socially deprived urban areas often experience poor transport infrastructure, including bike lanes, connecting them to places of education, work or public service.

Initially, most cycling infrastructure has been placed in the city centre of Zagreb where it promoted tourism and cycling access for wealthier citizens. Through cycling courses and lobbying for a comprehensive bike lane network, the association is beneficial to both cycling-shy and cycling-poor citizens.