On February 22nd, bicycle parking places with eaves opened for use in front of Entitz government building of Republic of Srpska. Construction of parking places with eaves was financed by the Service for Mutual Business of Government of Republic of Srpska, on an initiative taken by representatives of Centre for Environment. Covered bicycle parking places construction aims to popularize usage of bicycles as a means of transportation for employees in ministries of Republic of Srpska governments and other visitors.

“Centre for Environment has been working on promotion of sustainable methods of transportation for many years, as in Banjaluka so in Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The initiative which we have taken towards Service for mutual business of government of Republic of Srpska was accepted, as they understood the need, and was carried out with good cooperation, as it was expected. This is a good example which should be followed by all institutions in Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. From beginning of sending the initiative, through analysis of best technical solution, monitoring of construction everything went well without any problems,” said Tihomir Dakić, Coordinator of Transport Program in Centre for Environment.

This is the second initiative that was accepted by Centre for Environment and these bicycle parking places in Banjaluka are becoming recognizable. Beside these new ones, Centre for Environment had already collected financial support for construction of four bicycle parking places in University of Banjaluka which are frequently used by students.

“For the citizens to change their habits, besides promoting this way of transportation, it is needed to secure basic infrastructure. Currently in Banjaluka there is a traffic chaos which is a result of having no strategy for development of traffic nor any other vision of transport development. Banjaluka which was once known for bicycles is now suffocated by rows of cars every day.
 
From the economical point of view this is a great loss for development of this city, subsequently it is bad for health of citizens and increases unproductiveness of working population. On this occasion I call all ministers in government of Republic of Srpska to set an example for smart way of traveling to work, and to all employees in ministry of Republic of Srpska to start using bicycles when travelling to work and by that they will save on their costs, take care of their health and what is most important for all us citizens is that it will increase their productiveness,”  added Dakić.
 
Bicycle parking places with eaves is a concept which was elaborated by representatives of Centre for Environment with fellow assistants from Architectural- constructing faculty in Banjaluka. Price of constructing and setting bicycle parkings is 5960.00 BAM. Total number of parking places within sheds are between 24 and 40.
 
For more information and more photographs contact Tihomir Dakić