CHESTNUT - The official launch of the Nextbike bicycle rental system in Banja Luka

21-05-2018

Banja Luka joined the large family of world cities using the public bicycle rental system on 30th of March 2018. The opening of this system in Banja Luka was announced and the system is named "BL bike". The first beneficiaries of the system are the students in Banja Luka who were provided with user cards.

Popularize a healthy lifestyle

The aim of the project is to popularise a healthy lifestyle, to use sustainable forms of transport as much as possible, and as few motor vehicles as possible. The project also includes adoption of the regulatory plan for the narrow center of the city, which foresees removal of almost all parking lots from the roads in order to allow more space for cycling and hiking trails.

Part of the global system

Banja Luka has become the part of the global system, so-called bike sharing and is the 150th city in the world using the Next bike system. Bicycles are available to the citizens and tourists in Banja Luka. In total, 30 bicycles are available at four locations in the City. Rental prices are reasonable, the annual ticket is 10,22 EUR and the monthly ticket is 2,56 EUR, allowing up to 30 minutes of free use. The system will contribute to better quality of transportation in Banja Luka.

Terminals for charging EV

Two terminals for charging electric vehicles at two public parking locations in Banja Luka have been put into operation on 14th of May 2018. These are the first chargers for electric vehicles installed on public areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The terminals will be used by local drivers, but also those in transit, since both locations with terminals are easy to access for those drivers who pass through Banja Luka, whether they go to the sea or to Sarajevo. The City has secured about 20.500,00 EUR in infrastructure and permits, while a private investor has provided chargers.

Installation of the chargers will have a positive impact on awareness raising and motivate a greater number of people to use electric vehicles.

Programme co-funded by European Union funds (ERDF, IPA, ENI)