Workshop on the implementation of the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail for the purpose of nature conservation 

On 21st August 2019, a workshop on implementation of cycling trail with the aim of nature conservation was held in Noskovci at the Information and Educational Center - hostel "Dravska story", as part of the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail project implementation.

The Director of the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas and the Ecological Network of the Virovitica-Podravina County Tatjana Arnold Sabo welcomed all present, presented the project activities and introduced them to the activities carried out so far in which the Public Institution participated.

Stefanie Edelmüller (WWF Austria) presented in more detail the whole project, its goals, work packages and partner responsibilities. It also provided a broader picture of the activities that preceded the AoE Bike Trail project itself, as well as the expected results and sustainability aspect of the project.

Furthermore, members of the project team from the Public Institution, Antun Damjan and Sanja Janković, presented the results of a field survey of the planned cycling route through the Virovitica-Podravina County. Based on the data collected daily from July 16 to 24 this year, the project team suggested the following daily stocks:

Pitomaca - Dvor Chapel (40.3 km)
Dvor Chapel - Noskovci (89.7 km).

The planned cycling route mostly traverses public roads and well-maintained cycle routes along the embankment, and to a lesser extent also on the field roads. The newly proposed route encompasses roads very close to the Drava River, which give cyclists an unforgettable sense of preserved nature in the future Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve. The existing 4 resting places along the route will be additionally equipped with the project (solar benches, bicycle stands, bicycle repair stations, info boards), and a new resting place will be built in Terezino Polje. In addition, there is an appropriate signage that would direct visitors to the new and existing cycling infrastructure, as well as natural, educational, cultural, gastronomic and other amenities that they can enjoy.

The workshop was concluded by Andreas Nemmert from the Austrian company REVITAL, who is responsible for the implementation of the cycling trail for the purpose of nature conservation. The presentation included the introduction of the Amazon of Europe Bike Route standards, the presentation of a Visitors Guide and, finally, a concerted joint infrastructure design that will be set up along the route across all 5 countries.