{"id":19212,"date":"2025-12-11T15:23:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T14:23:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herzegovinabike.ba\/?p=19212"},"modified":"2025-12-11T15:42:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T14:42:35","slug":"u-mostaru-odrzan-radni-sastanak-o-eurovelo-ruti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.herzegovinabike.ba\/en\/u-mostaru-odrzan-radni-sastanak-o-eurovelo-ruti\/","title":{"rendered":"Working Meeting on the EuroVelo Route Held in Mostar"},"content":{"rendered":"

A working meeting on the continuation of activities related to the establishment of an international EuroVelo route through Bosnia and Herzegovina was held yesterday in the premises of the City of Mostar. The meeting was attended by \u0110ani Rahimi\u0107<\/strong>, Ivica Sivri\u0107<\/strong> on behalf of REDAH, and Toni Zori\u0107<\/strong> representing the HerzegovinaBike Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main topic of the meeting was the coordination of further activities in preparing the application to the European Cyclists\u2019 Federation (ECF), through which a new transnational cycling route\u2014based on the former \u0106iro narrow-gauge railway\u2014would be nominated as an official EuroVelo route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EuroVelo Initiative: From Jahorina to Mostar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this year, an initial meeting was held on Jahorina, bringing together representatives of cities, municipalities, tourist boards, cycling clubs, and international partners from the region. At that meeting, the idea of creating a route connecting Dubrovnik and Belgrade\u2014passing through Ravno, Mostar, Sarajevo, Vi\u0161egrad, and further into Serbia\u2014was officially presented for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the months that followed, the initiative has significantly advanced, and a wider transnational route has been defined. The proposed route would extend from Belgrade, through U\u017eice, Sarajevo, Mostar, Trebinje, and Nik\u0161i\u0107, all the way to Podgorica and Shkod\u00ebr, where it would connect with the existing EuroVelo 8 \u2013 Mediterranean Route. The total length of the proposed route is 1,015 km.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major part of the route relies on the already well-known and popular \u0106iro Trail, which has become a key cycling tourism artery in Bosnia and Herzegovina, attracting thousands of cyclists from all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At yesterday\u2019s meeting in Mostar, following a proposal by Ivica Sivri\u0107, the idea was raised that the HerzegovinaBike Association should take on the role of main applicant and coordinator of the entire process towards the ECF. This proposal was supported by \u0110ani Rahimi\u0107. The final decision will follow once the president of the association holds a meeting with the other members and allocates human resources, given the scale of this project, which requires time and a highly professional approach. The final decision will be made in the coming days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next Steps: Regional Consortium and International Cooperation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To meet EuroVelo network criteria, it is necessary to form a transnational consortium consisting of institutions from all four countries through which the route passes\u2014Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the coming days, HerzegovinaBike and REDAH will begin formal communication with partners in these countries, with the goal of bringing together competent and engaged institutions that will take responsibility for their segments of the route, contribute to the technical documentation, provide institutional support, and participate in financing the evaluation phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the consortium is established, a joint meeting will be held to define the final application and operational tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tight Deadlines and Great Potential<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deadline for submitting the application to the European Cyclists\u2019 Federation is January 15, 2026. Considering the upcoming holidays and limited time, activities are being conducted intensively and in parallel across several countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the challenges, the project carries enormous potential for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n