The “Giro di Ćiro Sarajevo – Pale” cycling track, 13 kilometers long, was officially opened yesterday by the head of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU’s special representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Luigi Soreca, and representatives of local communities, with the message that this project, worth 2.3 million euros of European Union grants, not only connects Sarajevo and Pale, but also people, communities and creates new opportunities for tourism, recreation and economic development.
In addition to Ambassador Soreca, the opening was attended by the mayors of the City of Sarajevo, the City of East Sarajevo and the mayors of the municipalities of Stari Grad, East Stari Grad and Pale, in the presence of cycling clubs from both entities of BiH.
Before the opening ceremony, cycling clubs from Bosnia and Herzegovina set out from opposite ends of the track to meet at the location of the opening ceremony, which symbolically highlights the role of this track as a common space and meeting place for citizens from all over the country.
The trail was financed with EU funds in the amount of 2.3 million euros in grants, as part of continuous support for sustainable tourism and healthier lifestyles in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The works included the reconstruction of approximately 13 km of bicycle paths, nine tunnels of different construction equipped with solar lighting, two bridges and one bypass, as well as the installation of traffic signals and protective fences.
The path follows the route of the former narrow-gauge railway “Ćiro”, along the rivers Miljacka and Paljanska Miljacka, along the slopes of Mount Trebević. It is designed to be accessible and comfortable for cyclists of different fitness levels. It starts near the Sarajevo City Hall, passes through the Dariva promenade, continues along the route of the former railway near the “Spring of Life” site, and ends near the old Pale railway station.
The project was realized in cooperation with the City of Sarajevo, the City of East Sarajevo and the municipalities of Stari Grad, East Stari Grad and Pale.
Ambassador Luigi Soreca said during the opening of the bicycle path, which connects Sarajevo and Pale through forests, tunnels and natural areas, that it represents much more than an infrastructure project because it shows how concrete cooperation can bring communities together.
He pointed out that the citizens immediately recognized the value of the project, which is why a special promotional campaign was not needed.
– Citizens simply got on their bikes and made this story their own, sharing it on Instagram and Facebook. This is exactly the true success of this investment – said Soreca.
He added that the opening of the track has a broader social significance and is a response to those who seek to deepen divisions, including people who damaged the appearance of the track with graffiti.
– Citizens’ enthusiasm for this track is proof that in this country there is always more that unites people than what divides them – he emphasized.
Soreca stated that in the discussions with the mayors of the municipalities, it was concluded that the opening of the track is only the beginning of the further development of the project.
He reminded that it is a part of the wider vision of the “Giro di Ćiro”, by which the former railway routes throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina are brought back to life and create new opportunities for the development of tourism, recreation and the local economy.
He assessed that with the further development of the trail network, it will attract visitors from all over Europe and added that it is important to promote this initiative in a quality way so that its potential is fully utilized.
He concluded that the European Union was built by connecting people, and that through connections like this track, support is provided for building a better, shared future of stability and prosperity, the EU Delegation announced.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
Chat readers
Join the discussion