In 2015, the AVTO-MOTO SOJUZ NA MAKEDONIJA (AMSM) launched a significant campaign seeking to maintain the low number of cyclists’ road accidents through trainings and education, with drivers also urged to treat cyclists with respect and cope with this legal vacuum.

The “Smart city cycling” project, funded by the FIA Road Safety Grant Programme, tackled the issue of cycling safety through a wide range of activities. The project started with a very constructive roundtable gathering representatives of all relevant institutions (Ministry of Internal Affairs, Republic Council for Road Traffic Safety) and communities directly affected by the issue.

During the campaign, AMSM was engaged at all levels: lobbying and working on amending and strengthening legislation,  implementing training program, promoting road safety with the “think bikes” stickers, leaflets and video.

As a result, 5 000 stickers have been placed on over the cars, the video training instruction obtained 1 020 views, over 700 cyclists supported the movement, 2 000 leaflets have been distributed and a wide promotion on TV, newspapers and social networks has been carried out.

A clear added value of this initiative was the presence of world class expert, Professor Ralf Risser conducting training courses. The director of the research institute FACTUM (which focuses on traffic and mobility policies from the psychological perspective and social science), Ralf Risser is actively involved in improving behavior in traffic.

The success of this valuable project ensured cyclists to have better access to knowledge and infrastructure they need to improve their safety.

The video of the final event can be found by clicking here.