Objavljeno: 08.10.2024.
Bike Friendly is a well-known synonym for cyclist-friendly services. Services marked with the Bike Friendly label are facilities/services/attractions, etc. that meet the minimum standards adapted to cycle tourists and their needs, i.e. entities that are recognized for their efforts to create a pleasant atmosphere for cycle tourists. Bike Friendly Standard is a program that, for the needs of cycle tourism, gives recognition and certification to service providers who, meeting the conditions, support bicycle rides, bicycle trips and bicycle tourist experiences in Western Balkans.
It is intended for different categories of facilities/services/attractions that want their service to adapt as much as possible to the needs of this specific type of tourist. Depending on the type of facilities/services/attractions and their size, the Bike Friendly Standard (BFS) gives all interested parties the opportunity to join this process and create more favorable conditions in the region for the development of this specific segment of the tourist offer, and to promote their services and make a financial profit.
REDAH as the owner of the Bike Friendly Standard and at the same time the regional technical secretariat, and the national technical secretariats which are responsible for the implementation of the certification process in their countries and which implemented the certification process are: Serbia-Regional development agency Zlatibor, Užice, Albania-The Door, Shkodër, Montenegro-NVU Tourism cluster Montenegro, Nikšić, Kosovo-LAG GLV Agrotourism, Peja, North Macedonia-Network for rural development of North Macedonia.
As part of the project, a total of 79 new facilities were certified in all Western Balkan economies which brings the total number of certified facilities to 150.
25 new facilities have been certified in BiH, of which 10 accommodation facilities, 12 catering facilities, 1 service station and 2 parking lots.
In Montenegro, 15 new facilities were certified, of which 11 accommodation facilities, 1 catering facilities, 2 tourist agencies and 1 service station.
In Serbia, 15 facilities have been certified, of which 11 accommodation facilities, 2 catering facilities and 2 travel agencies.
In North Macedonia, 24 facilities have been certified, of which 12 accommodation facilities, 9 catering facilities, 1 tourist agency and 2 service stations.
The certification is part of the Bike Friendly Standard for Greener Western Balkans project implemented by the Association for Economic Development REDAH Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of the regional project “Support to the Economic Diversification of Rural Areas in Southeast Europe (SEDRA II)” which includes the countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. SEDRA II is jointly implemented by the Standing Working Group for Regional Rural Development in South-Eastern Europe (SWG RRD) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The aim of the project is to expand and strengthen regional connectivity, cooperation and networking through the Bike Friendly Standard with the aim of developing additional value in the regional tourist offer.
