Municipalities today

A total of 10,026 metres of cycle lanes have been built in Sliven under two EU-funded projects, Mitka Kraleva, Head of the Municipal Development, Projects and Programmes Department at Sliven Municipality, told the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

Cycle lanes have been constructed along some of the city’s main thoroughfares, including Panayot Hitov Blvd., Hristo Botev Blvd., Burgasko Shose Blvd., Stefan Karadzha Blvd., 6 Septemvri Blvd. and Hadzhi Dimitar Blvd., as well as along part of Bratya Miladinovi Blvd.

Part of the cycling infrastructure was developed under the Integrated Urban Transport of Sliven project, funded through the Operational Programme Regions in Growth 2014–2020. The aim was to encourage the use of alternative modes of transport and improve connections between residential neighbourhoods and the city centre.

When planning the routes, the width of roads and pavements had to be taken into account, along with access to commercial premises. According to Kraleva, developing cycling infrastructure in an urban environment presented a number of challenges due to the need to reduce the width of pavements or roadways.

She cited Panayot Hitov Blvd. as an example, where the cycle lane was originally planned as a continuous route. However, the initial design was not implemented in full due to public pressure and objections from residents and businesses along the route, who insisted that vehicles should be able to stop in front of commercial premises.

The “red” cycle lanes built on pavements have been well received by residents and are actively used, Kraleva said. She added that the projects were subject to inspections by various institutions and that the designs had to take into account both cyclists’ safety and the interests of other road users.

No new cycle lanes are currently planned under the present programming period, Mitka Kraleva said.

In addition to the city’s cycling infrastructure, the surrounding area offers opportunities for mountain biking in the Sliven Balkan and within Sinite Kamani Nature Park. Popular routes include those in the areas of Kutelka, Bachvata, Mollova Gora and Golyamata Chatalka. Cycling opportunities are also available along routes towards Karandila and Balgarka Peak, as well as towards Byala, Aglikina Polyana and Stara Reka.

Source: Bulgarian News Agency (BTA)