The Novi Sad Cycling Initiative has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Environment and the Government of the Republic of Serbia to subsidize the purchase of bicycles in order to opt for a cheap, simple and efficient means of transport that conserves the environment and to reduce air pollution.
In Novi Sad, a city of more than 30,000 cyclists and approximately 100 kilometers of cycle paths, a bicycle seems like the obvious choice. Anywhere by bicycle can be reached quickly, economically, parking is rarely sought and pollution emanating from the bicycle is virtually non-existent.
Research conducted in Novi Sad has shown that this number has occurred in various activities that encouraged cycling and that 10 years ago the number of cyclists was 3 times lower. The initiative calculates that, compared to the announced subsidies of 8,000 euros for the purchase of one taxi vehicle, 80 citizens can receive an incentive of 100 euros for the purchase of bicycles, which is an effective solution for most citizens in smaller cities.
Cities that are larger or more uphill would be more suitable for electric bicycles, which would require some more money and more incentives. According to the proposal, citizens could obtain these benefits once every 3 or 4 years, provided they buy a new bicycle technically equipped in accordance with the regulations for participation in traffic.
This would reduce air pollution as well as noise pollution. Additional proposals include incentives for the economy to procure delivery bicycles (especially freight), as well as to allow employers to pay for commuting and those arriving by bicycle or on foot, as opposed to the Ministry of Finance’s view that these costs only apply to those using a car or public transport.
Bicycle riders from Novi Sad have also proposed a change in traffic regulations to make cycling more safe and accessible to parents and children under the age of 12, and to develop the habit of using bicycles as soon as possible.
The advantages of these measures are that they can be implemented almost immediately, they are concrete, economically viable, will increase the quality of life of a large number of citizens and with the introduction of new, technically correct bicycles in traffic, directly increasing traffic safety.
Incentives for more developed bicycle purchases in different countries of Europe have been in place for a long time, while they have emerged in the region in Northern Macedonia and Montenegro, eKapija reports.
