How to ensure freedom of movement for citizens while races and traffic blockades continue in Sarajevo

(Patria) - A race was held in Sarajevo today, gathering around 2,000 participants. The event included a 5,000-meter race, a half-marathon (21 km), and a marathon (42 km). From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., traffic was suspended in most parts of Sarajevo due to the passage of participants.

As always, today's blockades provoked various reactions from Sarajevo's citizens. Although marathons are held in other world metropolises where as many as 50,000 people run (Berlin Marathon 2024), the question is whether Sarajevo, with its infrastructure, can accommodate such events without citizens suffering due to traffic blockades. While the organization of sporting events, the promotion of Sarajevo, and the arrival of tourists in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina are commendable, one must also accept the fact that citizens' freedom of movement is restricted due to these races.

An additional problem is that organizers—not only of this weekend's sporting event but also of others, given that races organized by various associations take place in Sarajevo—do not pay enough attention to informing the public about blockades and difficulties in motor vehicle movement during the race.

In this case, the public was only informed about the traffic blockade in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina on May 8.

When a race was organized last year on June 14 (Friday) starting at 8 p.m. near the Sarajevo City Hall, a traffic collapse ensued.

At that time, the Ministry of Transport of the Sarajevo Canton stated that races could no longer be organized on workdays, meaning they would not issue permits for road blockades.

However, today's blockade lasting several hours also caused problems and frustration. Sarajevo does not have enough alternative routes to allow traffic to flow smoothly.