Current cycling tourism development in Serbia

Cycling Tourism Challenge Sofia, 23. March 2016.

Jovan Eraković Ciklonaut Belgrade

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Signposting of the Iron Curtain Trail (EuroVelo 13) in Serbia

• Total length of the ICT in Serbia: 707km • Phase I: 204km, signposted (107 intersections, 4 border crossings). • Phase II and Phase III - Projects: prepared - Funds: reserved by Ministry of tourism

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v Signpost types

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Standardization of signposting system at national level

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Routes: • National • Regional • Local

For:

• •

Road bikes Mountain bikes

The content of signposts: Road routes

MTB routes

1. Route cathegory (N, R, L) 2. Route number 3. Route name and/or logo 4. Mobility logo (bicycle) 5. Intersection number 6. Destinations (2 lines) 7. Additional notes, warnings, usefull info 8. Support/info (phone, web site).

1. Route cathegory (N, R, L) 2. Route number 3. Route name and/or logo 4. Mobility logo (bicycle) 5. Intersection number 6. Destinations (2 lines) 7. Additional notes, warnings, usefull info 8. Support/info (phone, web site). 9. Hardness indicators 10. The type of surface 11. Location (name and coordinates).

Additional elements 1. Large info-boards (maps, promo, photo) 2. Small info-boards 3. Route markings 4. Markings by color

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Sava cycling route  The Sava river: o „The blue hart of Europe“; o Length: 990km; o Connecting 4 countries (Slo, Cro, B&H, Srb) and 3 national capitals: Ljubljana, Zagreb and Beograd. o Anticipated length in Serbia: 156km.

 Field investigation and tracing the route in Serbia will start in April.

 Clear support for signposting (project, production and mounting) from Ministry of tourism.

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Sava cycling route Connection with EuroVelo 6 and route Srem

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Cycling guides courses/licenses Target groups: • Cyclists interested to guide commercial tours • Cyclists with ambitions to go on trips in their own arrangement. Duration: 5-7 days Program: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Choosing, planning and organizing tours (destinations, budget, transportation, accommodation, daily mileage) Examination and presentation of tours (checking and recording, description, maps, altitude profiles). Marking routes / printed materials for participants. Navigation (devices, software). Basic bike service and field repairs. Leading, relationship with clients (role of the guide, establishment and maintenance of group dynamics, motivating participants, good communication with the group, resolving conflict situations, environmentally and socially responsible, cycling, nature protection, safety). Leading road tours. Leading MTB tours (specifics, driving techniques on a variety of surfaces and with a loaded bicycle) Leading tours with supported vehicle (organisation and logistics strategy). Leading self supported tours (philosophy and logistics, riding in the distant or remote areas, proper loading of the bicycle). Basics of outdoors (camping, weather evaluation , orientation, dangers, communication .... First aid.

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

In cooperation with (providing legal frame and weightiness of the licence):

• • • • •

Cycling Federation of Serbia Tourist Organization of Serbia The Ministry of tourism Danube Competence Center (Serbian association of tourist guides.)

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Attempts to improve mobility • Belgrade: o not very cycling friendly o relatively small length of cycling paths, currently no development of new paths

• Proposal for a pilot project: donated bicycle racks for couple of interesting bus lines (popular picnic areas, river quays connections…)

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v Cycle-buseses and cycle-trams • Czech (Prague, Ostrava and some other towns) experience: old vehicles with space for bicycles, engaged on regular lines. • Capacity: 25-30 bicycles (and the same number of passengers). • Weekend days, April to September.

• Total in Czech Republic: - 45 ciklobus lines - 5 cycle-trams in Prague.

Promotion includes ideas/suggestions for tours. Possibility of guided tours.

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Intercity bus lines: donated bike racks or trailers on request, at pilot lines.

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Trains: • 21 new Staedler electromotor sets, with a place for couple of bicycles • 30 new diesel sets announced • Timetables are not perfect. • Small boxcars for bike transport on request • Bicycle option in online ticketing system.

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v Railway rental bike service The goal: transport by train to a certain point, then using bike to get to the final destination / or using rental bikes for day trips/excursions.

• National railway company gets bicycles and related equipment for free. • At the beginning: service available at several major stations. • Rented bicycle can be returned at any station. Further distribution (transportation to home rental station) is performed by the railway company. Advanced version: • Self-service system with special cards for taking bicycle from storage space or locker. No identification, paperwork, deposits - just scanning card or a printed pass. • Online reservation and payment. • Option to subscribe to a particular period.

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Mobile guide EuroVelo 6: Danube Cycling Route

Cycling tourism development in Serbia v

Thank you for the attention :)

Jovan Eraković [email protected]

www.ciklonaut.com