The environmental pollution poses a major challenge for the city of Shkodër, facing high levels of air pollution and significant traffic congestion. At the same time, Shkodër (or Shkodra*) strongly aims to develop green tourism and improve the quality of life for its residents. These factors make it imperative to search for sustainable transport solutions, and cycling appears as an ideal solution for this city. By encouraging the use of bicycles, Shkodër aims to combat pollution, reduce traffic, and promote a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle for all.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is a serious problem in Albania, contributing to the poor health of the population. Among the main factors of air pollution, we find the usual suspects. A traffic density on the verge of saturation with main roads completely congested, but also factors specific to Albania, where about 550,000 cars are registered for a population of 3,088,385 people. The age of the car fleet and the poor quality of fuel are part of it, as well as the increasing number of vehicles which shows the strong dependence of Albanians. The country is therefore facing major challenges in terms of pollution and traffic.
Shkodër chooses the bike
Known for its cycling culture, the city of Shkodër, in the northwest of Albania, has been using bicycles for a long time. Approximately 30% of the residents use bicycles to get around, which ranks the city among the top five cities in Europe in terms of users/inhabitants ratio. This deeply rooted habit in the local culture has been encouraged by different generations. Therefore, cycling seems like a natural choice even though the use of cars and pollution remain a concern in this city of 116,000 inhabitants, as shown in an environmental report which highlights that the city has only 1m² of green space per inhabitant.
Orges Permargjeta, a native of Shkodër, remembers stories of elderly people who had traveled from Shkodër to Durrës, Tirana, or even further, by bicycle, to attend Vllaznia's football matches. He emphasizes that “Shkodër is not a big enough city to justify owning a car, and it is easily accessible by bike. The municipality's choice to develop this means of transportation is therefore a good thing for the city, its residents, and tourism.” As a result, bike usage is increasing in Shkodër. Furthermore, statistics show that the city is attracting more and more tourists who appreciate green transportation and sustainable practices.
A committed municipality
In October 2012, the first international conference on sustainable mobility was held in the prefecture of Shkodër, a sign of the city's commitment to cycling and green transportation. Such initiatives have motivated more people to take up cycling.
Since then, the municipality of Shkodër has built dedicated bike lanes and even though these are still limited, they should quickly be expanded to the outskirts of the city. These lanes help ensure the safety of cyclists and encourage more people to use bicycles for transportation. Residents and visitors can rent bikes at several stations. And the website Visit Shkodër offers a customized bike rental service for both tourists and locals.
A significant reduction in pollutants
And the evidence is there. The use of bicycles has had a positive impact on air quality. By choosing a transport mode without CO2 emissions, cyclists contribute to a significant reduction in harmful pollutants. They are thus improving the health and overall well-being of the community. Furthermore, the promotion of sustainable tourism has made Shkodër a more attractive destination for visitors, who appreciate the environmental preservation here.
As Albania continues on its path towards a greener future, the bicycles in Shkodër have shown the power of sustainable transportation and are a glimmer of hope for the country.