site.btaProtesters Call for Safe and Connected Cycling Infrastructure in Sofia
Cyclists protested in front of the National Palace of Culture (NDK) in Sofia on Friday, calling for more connected cycle lanes and safer cycling in the capital. The protest, held under the slogan "I Want to Ride My Bicycle in Sofia", continued with a cycling procession to the City Hall.
The demonstration was organized by the Bulgarian Association for Electromobility, Bike Evolution Association, For the Earth Environmental Association, Critical Mass Bulgaria, Sofenhagen and ManEco Foundation. The organizers have notified the municipality of the protest. Police were present in the area around NDK.
Bike Evolution Association Chairman Ivo Delin said: "We want safety on the streets. All cycle lanes are in serious need of modernization and reconstruction to make them safe." Cycle lanes built before 2018 do not meet the standards currently in place for cycling infrastructure, he added.
"We want a plan that guarantees what exactly will be done over the next five to 10 years and how it will be funded," Delin said. "We want an adequate cycling network in the capital, not disconnected stretches of cycle lane."
Delin also said they expected the Sofia Directorate of the Interior to carry out checks fairly. "We want them to target people who threaten and harass others. They should also pay attention to cars parked on cycle lanes," he added.
The organizers said the demonstrations were prompted by police checks, warnings and threats of sanctions against cyclists in parks, as well as the lack of sufficient connected, safe and convenient cycling infrastructure in Sofia.
Earlier on Friday, Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev said the cyclists had every right to protest. "Sofia Municipality has let cyclists down, and there is no truth to claims that we will ban cycling in parks. This was a very unpleasant fake debate, but there has never been any question of introducing such policies," the mayor said.
According to Terziev, the municipality is working to make up for promises it has made. "The plan is to build 20 km of new cycle routes over the next year or so, while working to add another 10 km of cycle routes," he said.
On Monday, NGOs expressed concern over recent police operations in parks in Sofia targeting cyclists, which they described as the "intimidation of ordinary people while those riding aggressively are allowed to run amok".
/VE/
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