Within the framework of the European Tour, Europe Day was celebrated with a cycling tour through the streets of Nikšić. The event was organised by the Municipality of Nikšić, the Ministry of European Affairs, and the NGO Biciklo.me, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, as part of the EU4ME programme.
Around 100 people made a circuit around the streets of the city under Trebjesa hill to promote sustainable and eco-friendly modes of transportation.
Representative of the NGO Biciklo.me, Stefan Bulatović, said that the track through the streets of Nikšić was five kilometres long and that it is a way for the city and Montenegro to demonstrate commitment to European values and standards, especially in the fields of ecology and sustainability.
“I hope that the citizens of Nikšić will enjoy the streets that are more different than usual. We are used to streets full of cars, and now they will be full of bicycles. We want to show the people of Nikšić and the rest of Montenegro that cycling is a means of transport and that all our citizens should be adapted to using bicycles, regardless of years, abilities, and the like. Cycling is a sustainable and eco-friendly mode of transport, and that is precisely what constitutes European values,” said Bulatović.
Advisor to the Mayor of the Municipality, Vojin Striković, emphasised the importance of developing, promoting, and practicing healthy lifestyles on the path towards the EU membership. He pointed out that the Municipality of Nikšić, in cooperation with partners from the government, primarily the Ministry of European Affairs and the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, promotes those moments and elements that we call European values.
“Perhaps the most significant European value we should think about and engage all our efforts to promote properly is what we call the Green agenda. This involves engaging in all activities that will contribute to making our environment and the surroundings in which we live cleaner, giving it the appearance and outlines we desire if we want to leave a healthy environment for future generations,” Striković concluded.