Bicycle Path 'Giro di Ćiro Sarajevo–Pale' Opened

(Patria) - The bicycle path "Giro di Ćiro Sarajevo - Pale" was officially opened today by Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU Special Representative in BiH, and the mayors of the City of Sarajevo and the City of East Sarajevo, as well as the municipal heads of Stari Grad, East Stari Grad and Pale, in the presence of cycling clubs from both entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ahead of the opening ceremony, cycling clubs from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska set off from opposite ends of the path to meet at the ceremonial opening location - symbolically highlighting the role of this path as a shared space and meeting place for citizens from across the country.

The path was financed with European Union funds amounting to 2.3 million euros in grants, as part of continued support for sustainable tourism and healthier lifestyles in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The works included the reconstruction of approximately 13 kilometres of bicycle path, nine tunnels of various construction equipped with solar lighting, two bridges and one bypass, as well as the installation of traffic signs and protective railings.

The path follows the route of the former narrow-gauge railway "Ćiro", along the Miljacka and Paljanska Miljacka rivers, at the foot of Mount Trebević. With an average gradient of 2.5 to 3.5 percent, the path is designed to be accessible and enjoyable for cyclists of different fitness levels. It starts at the Sarajevo City Hall, passes through the Dariva promenade, continues along the route of the former railway line near the "Vrelo života" site, and ends near the old Pale railway station.

The project was implemented in cooperation with the City of Sarajevo, the City of East Sarajevo, and the municipalities of Stari Grad, East Stari Grad and Pale.

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to BiH and EU Special Representative in BiH, Luigi Soreca, said that the 13-kilometre path connects Sarajevo and Pale through forests, tunnels and impressive natural landscapes. However, it is part of a much broader story. It shows how concrete cooperation can bring communities closer together.

"Citizens immediately recognised the value of this project. No marketing campaign was needed - they simply got on their bikes and made this story their own, shared it on Instagram and Facebook. That is the true success of this investment.

It is clear that this project also has a greater significance. Today's event is a strong response to all those who want to promote divisions, including those who have defaced the path with graffiti that encourages divisions. The enthusiasm of citizens for this path is proof that in this country there is always more that unites people than divides them.

And for me as the EU ambassador, this is the most important meaning. In service of the citizens, but also to show how the EU continues to proudly support activities that strengthen ties between people.

The amount of 2.3 million euros that the European Union has invested in this path certainly represents a strong boost to the promotion of healthy lifestyles, tourism and the local economy. I spoke with the municipal heads and we realised how important it is now to continue the work after today's event. Today is just the beginning.

I would like to thank the mayors and municipal heads of the five municipalities along the path for recognising the value of this project and for working together to make its realisation possible. 

I am here to close this initiative, but I want to remind you of my colleague Johann Sattler, who launched this initiative three years ago. Ambassadors come and go, sometimes we benefit from the work of our predecessors. That is the continuity of the European Union's operations.

This path is part of the broader vision of 'Giro di Ćiro', which brings historical railway routes across Bosnia and Herzegovina back to life, creating new opportunities for tourism, recreation and economic development.

As the paths continue to develop, they will attract visitors from all over Europe. I spoke with my friends in Brussels, Rome, Berlin and Stockholm about this and they will also come to see how this initiative is bringing new potential to life in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, it is important that we now give this initiative proper publicity. In conclusion, as the EU ambassador, of course, I am very proud of this initiative. The European Union was built by connecting people. And through connections like this path, step by step, we are helping to build a better, shared future of stability and prosperity," Soreca said.