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,,Me and my bike - a never ending friendship”

-Story about freedom, adventure, environment…and life filled with happiness!

Written by: Nikola Neshkoski Project Coordinator of NGO Eco Logic

www.glasproject.wordpress.com www.ecologic.mk

Skopje, Republic of Macedonia 2014/2015

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People have a tendency to move, to be mobile. Whether this was a trip to work, to the nearest market, or maybe a longer trip for holiday – it is a way of getting from point A to point B, whether it was movement to short, medium or long distances, and for a variety of needs.

In Macedonia, the land of the mountains and delicious food since former times it has been an imperative for people to own a car. When I was a child every family had its own car, usually one. Those were cars from the famous Yugoslavian brand – Zastava, not very expensive, but extremely reliable cars.Before the ,,entrance” of the cars in Yugoslavia and in Macedonia, there were more bicycles than cars.

From the introduction of cars to our societies people started to leave their bicycles and orientated themselves towards car usage. At this period this was not so intensive. In the last decade, cars have occupied the capital of Macedonia, the City of Skopje. Now, it is usual for a family in Skopje to own more than one car, thus directly contributing in a negative way to the amount of air pollution and traffic congestion. What made the situation in our society to change?

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Centralization. Capitalism. Processes of development and growth. Lack of environmental and social awareness.

What is the most simple and least expensive solution for tackling air pollution, traffic congestion, improve health and increase quality of life, related to urban transport and mobility?

Cycling.

Bicycles were introduced in the 19th century and now number about one billion worldwide. They are the principal means of transportation in many parts of the world.

Cycling is widely regarded as a very effective and efficient mode of transportation optimal for short to moderate distances. Bicycles provide numerous benefits by comparison with motor vehicles, including the sustained physical exercise necessarily involved in cycling, that cycling involves a reduced consumption of fossil fuels, less air or noise pollution, much reduced traffic congestion, easier parking, greater maneuverability, and access to both roads and paths. The advantages also include reduced financial cost to the user as well as to society at large (negligible damage to roads, less road area required).

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Since I can remember about myself, I had a tendency to be on two wheels. The first time I sat on a bike was at the age of 4. That bike was with supporting wheels. Then, after a time of learning I finally got on a real bike, a bike whose movement depended only by myself, and not by the supporting wheels. At that moment I felt the feeling of floating, the feeling of freedom. Since I felt this, I knew – I will always have the pleasure to be in a company of a true friend –Mr. Bike.

But, also I had some positive aspects when speaking about bike riding and going to school by bike. These facts really had an influence of my way of mobility, and my way of thinking about the environment, especially in urban areas. My place of living was only 5 minutes by foot from the kindergarten (2 minutes by bicycle). 10 minutes by foot from the elementary school (4 by bicycle), and 15 minutes by foot from the secondary school I was part of (6 by bicycle). Most of my travelling due to educational purposes I realized by foot. I enjoy waling, and even still – when I am not on my bike I do walk, and do this a lot, mostly for distances to 3-4 kilometers. Everything above this distance I do it by bike.

At this present moment, I cannot imagine a day without my bike. Actually – I cannot imagine a day without my several bikes, some of them ready to use, and some just waiting to be assembled.

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I ride my bike 365 days per year, during hot sunny days, rainy autumn days or cold and icy winter days. Always, and everywhere, form the asphalt road on the streets of Skopje, to the rocky terrain on the Mountains across Macedonia.

A usual working day for me starts with a coffee, breakfast, and local and world’s news check up. The next thing I do, is get the bike out of my room, and start to realize my everyday activities. It is worth mentioning that as part of the activities of the organization I work with, we have an ongoing raising awareness campaign for promotion and introduction to the concept of cycling, emphasizing ,,Bike To Work”, which is the name of the campaign actually.

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Even though Skopje, and Macedonia in general does not have decent cycling infrastructure, I still use my bike for various daily activities.

And, when speaking of work, when I arrive to the office, I put my good and loyal friend next to my personal work space. A good company, wouldn’t you agree?

Somehow it makes me happy when I see my bike next to me, knowing that at any given moment of blocked inspiration and lack of creativity I can just take it outside to the nearest park or mountain, ride it and clear my head off.

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Taking the fact that I do travel a lot during the year, related to training seminars and conferences around the world, I practice the same thing as in my home country, which is: ride my bike, as much as I can – anytime and everywhere!

In most of the institutions and companies in Macedonia, and across Europe it is not allowed to take your bike inside, as I regularly do in my office, but I somehow manage to change these non-written rules.

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Skopje, as a town located in a valley, and surrounded by mountains has serious issues with air pollution. Personally I always tend to use my bike, no matter what the distance is, thus I am contributing to the decrease of air pollution caused by motorized transport. And taking the fact that I work in an organization that deals with environmental issues, and is making efforts for conservation and improvement of the environment, I was involved in a project that consisted activities related to organization of ,,flash mob” events, organized by ,,Eco Logic’ in order to raise the awareness of people about air pollution generated by motorized transport. I had so much fun alongside my team mates, friends, and other activists that joined this initiative.

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But also, me and Mr. Bike are often present on other types of cycling events in the city of Skopje, for example such as the monthly event for promotion of cycling called ,,Critical Mass” organized by another Macedonian organization that promotes cycling as an every day’s transport mode.

As you can see, my working hours are quite connected to bike usage, in practice but also in theory, like the presentations and workshops I hold together with team of Eco Logic on topics such as sustainable transport, urban cycling and air pollution. These workshops are meant for young and adults, who discuss about

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current situation, possible solutions and measures that will contribute towards a better cycling climate in Skopje, and Macedonia in general.

After working hours I usually hang out with my friends, usually in the nearest park, accompanied by a coffee or beer, depending from the circumstances. Mainly during those friendly meetings me and my friends from Eco Logic start a discussion on the topics of transport and cycling, and plan the next promotional materials, which are planned to be distributed all over the city.

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During winter, i still ride my bike, even though in Skopje winter can be quite severe, sometimes even minus 20 degrees, usually accompanied with heavy fog. But still, hanging out with my bike and my bike loving friends is inevitable.

During my everyday meetings with my biking friends it is usual to have conversations about related to cycling, mountain biking, urban transport and newest trends in the cycling industry.

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During the weekends, I also tend to have fund with my friends, my girlfriendand Mr. Bike, but this time I make a substitution of the asphalt roads and turn on to the rocky mountaneous terrain, thus adding a bit more adventure to my life. The journey starts with travelling by train, in which I put my bike, till I reach the planned destination in a rural area.

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And yes, it is always fun, for everybody, no matter is it during day or night. Even in extreme weather conditions, such as snow and ice, I still hang-out with my friend Mr. Bike.

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After the off road ride, I usually go to the nearest village and explore their culture, way of living, through hanging out with people from the local population, and normally – by tasting of their traditionally prepared home made food!

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The weekend adventure is nearly finished…time to go home, and prepare for the next working day, bike to work day!

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Context Message

- A story about environmentally friendly life style

- Care about the society and quality of life

- Urban mobility and introduction of sustainable transport modes

- Change of behavior of people and shift towards usage of bicycles in their everyday life

- Initiatives for a cleaner society, and safer streets –emphasizing cyclists and pedestrians

- Cycling: clean, healthy, cheap, fast, adventurous mode of transport

- Cycling as a sport

- By using a bike for everyday activities, one person can contribute towards a decrease of 20-40% of air pollution in urban areas

- Using your bike for everyday activities can contribute towards decrease of the traffic congestion for 35-45%

- Better health by walking or cycling

- Increased creativity and positive behavior

- Change of attitude towards environmentally friendly lifestyles, through non formal education

- This biographical story is produced as part of the activities of the project GLAS – ,,Good Life and Sustainability”, an internatonal collaboration between organizations from Germany, Estonia, Italy and Macedonia. The project is supported by ERAZMUS+ Programme.