Driving a car is getting more and more expensive. Although it is spring and it is definitely the time for bicycles and scooters, the demand for them is increasing because gasoline is expensive, let alone diesel.
Fuel prices are rising, along with the demand for alternative means of transportation. In Sarajevo’s bicycle shops, the crowds are bigger than usual, although traders say that the reason is not only because of expensive fuel.
“There is an increase in interest in the segment of cycling and electric mobility, we also offer electric scooters and e-bikes. At the moment, it is difficult to assess whether this is solely due to the increased price of fuel, because now is the period when demand has generally increased. In addition to financial and time savings, fuel is also saved. Cycling has been developing in our country for a long time, in the sense that people have realized the value of cycling.”
As soon as the temperature rises, experienced cyclists notice a sudden jump in the number of fellow citizens who choose scooters or bicycles.
Igor Dugonjić, cyclist:
“When the weather gets a little nicer, you can see an extraordinary increase in scooters and bicycles, and it’s sudden. As soon as the temperature exceeds 10, 15 degrees, we have a sudden increase.”
In addition to environmental awareness, the key motive is a better calculation. Igor Dugonjić, a long-time cyclist, made a precise comparison of costs on a five-kilometer route.
Igor Dugonjić, cyclist:
“I did that comparison, 5 km routes. I went in favor of cars, I didn’t count the price of registration, parking, no services, tires, only fuel. For the bike, I counted everything, bike maintenance. It turned out that five years of going to work by bike is 370 KM, and by car 2,250 KM.”
The citizens we talked to confirm that the adaptation is underway. For some it is an economic necessity, for others salvation from a traffic collapse, and for others the best medicine.
Regardless of whether they are driven to the trails by an empty wallet or a desire for a healthier life, the people of Sarajevo are slowly changing their habits. Wilson’s promenade thus ceases to be just a recreation area and slowly becomes a key road, he writes N1 BiH.
