The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) is pleased to announce that the Sava Cycle Route is the latest proposed addition to the EuroVelo network of cycling routes. If approved, the 1,136 km route will become the EuroVelo 18 route, connecting Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, and connecting the capital cities of Ljubljana, Zagreb and Belgrade by bicycle along the Sava River. The route is expected to be formally integrated into the network by 2029, provided it meets the criteria for new EuroVelo routes. This will make it the 19th EuroVelo route and the first in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The route showcases a wide range of natural and cultural sights, from Lake Bled to Lonjsko Polje, and the Bardača and Obedska Bara wetlands, making it a unique cycling experience through alpine landscapes, riverside towns and internationally significant wetlands. Coordinated through strong cross-border partnerships between national and regional stakeholders, such as ministries, tourism organisations and citizens’ associations, and particularly the national coordination centres for EuroVelo, the project represents an important step in the expansion of sustainable mobility and cycling tourism in Southeast Europe.
The route in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 306 km long and crosses from Croatia in Donja Gradina, passing through Gradiška, Srbac, Brod, Šamac, Orašje, Brčko and Bijeljina, and crosses into Serbia at the border crossing “Pavlovića Most” (Popovi). This is the epilogue of more than ten years of work on advocacy, preparation and cooperation with colleagues from Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. Most municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are informed and plan the development of the Sava route through their strategic documents. The Center for the Environment is the National Coordinator Center for EuroVelo routes for Bosnia and Herzegovina and a member of the network of the European Cyclists Federation. Center for Environment has been working in the field of cycling development since 2002.”This is one of the more joyful moments in our work on the development of cycle tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also on the development of cycling in general. We have more than ten years of work on the topic of the Sava bicycle route, and we are finally starting a process that should help the municipalities and cities along the Sava river to develop their tourism offer. The route passes through the municipalities and cities of both entities and the Brčko District, and I hope that the entity ministries will also recognize their opportunity to support municipalities and cities as well as to support development In the coming period, we will hold a series of meetings with the representatives of the institutions, in order to make official the start of work on the future EuroVelo 18 route,” said Tihomir Dakić, the National Coordinator for EuroVelo for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Key features of the route:
Name: Future EuroVelo 18 – Sava Cycling Route
Length: 1,136 km
Countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia
Connected capital cities: Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade
Time frame: Expected to join the EuroVelo network by 2029
Related EuroVelo routes: EuroVelo 6 (Atlantic-Black Sea), EuroVelo 9 (Baltic-Adriatic), EuroVelo 11 (East European route), EuroVelo 13 (Iron Curtain Route)
Coordination: Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy (Slovenia), Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Croatia), Center for Environment (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Danube Competence Center (Serbia)
[about EuroVelo]
EuroVelo is a network of long-distance cycling routes that cross and connect Europe. The routes can be used by cyclists, as well as residents who travel daily. EuroVelo is an initiative of the European Federation of Cyclists, developed by national and regional partners. Discover Europe by bike at www.EuroVelo.com
[about ECF]
The European Cyclists Federation is a unique European umbrella organisation for cycling, both for transport and for leisure. With more than 70 member organizations in over 40 countries, we unite European cycling movements as the only voice of civil society at the pan-European level and as the world’s largest and best-known organization for the representation of cyclists. The vision we share with our members is to improve and increase cycling across Europe.
Foto: ©Predrag Zec ©CZZS
