Ahead of World Car-Free Day, on Saturday, September 20, from 4 PM, Split’s streets will leave behind traffic jams and engine noise for a few hours. At the 15th anniversary edition of the Split Bike Ride, something cyclists have been dreaming of for years will finally become a reality: the roads will be given over exclusively to bicycles!
Forget about careful manoeuvring, the hum of engines and anxiously keeping an eye on passing cars. This year’s event is turning a new page in the city’s history: Sunce will secure the route and close the streets to car traffic. On some sections of the route, however, only one lane will be closed to traffic.
Participants will be able to relax and enjoy the ride, experiencing for a moment what Split feels like when bicycles, clean air and positive energy take over the streets.
This is not a race or a competition. The Split bike ride has always been about taking part and being active. It brings together people of all generations for a day of cycling and community. And if cycling isn’t your thing, you can still join us and show your support.
A new chapter for the Split bike ride
This long-awaited step is a major victory for everyone who has spent years advocating for a safer, greener and more modern Split.
Organised by the Sunce Association, the Split Bike Ride has been an essential part of European Mobility Week for 15 years. This year, once again, we want to show that Split can become a model of sustainable mobility, a city where people can live more safely, healthily and comfortably.
We set off at 4 PM from Žnjan, next to Palma Beach Club, and will ride together for just under 15 kilometres. Registration opens at 3 PM. If you haven’t registered online, you can also sign up on September 20 at one of Sunce’s information stands.
Be sure to check out this year’s route so you know what’s in store:
For years, Sunce has used the Split bike ride to advocate for more cycling infrastructure in Split and encourage people to choose bicycles more often for getting around the city.
For the past 15 years, the Split bike ride has promoted sustainable urban mobility, low-carbon transport, safer and better-quality public spaces, the development of cycling infrastructure, healthier lifestyles, active tourism and a different way of experiencing Split.
We want to inspire as many residents and visitors as possible to discover just how simple, practical and enjoyable a bicycle can be as a means of transport. And the best part? Cycling helps you avoid traffic jams, and parking is never a problem.
How can I take part?
Everyone who feels confident riding a bicycle and is able to complete the route without major difficulty is welcome to join the Split Bike Ride. Whether you cycle every day or only occasionally, the most important thing is to come along and support the idea of sustainable transport by taking part.
You can register at the starting point on Sunday, September 20. The registration form and further details will be published soon.
Children under 14 may participate only when accompanied by a parent, guardian or another responsible adult. Helmets are mandatory for everyone under the age of 16.
Apart from your own bicycle and a safety helmet, we do not require any special equipment. However, we recommend that you:
- bring a reusable water bottle so you can stay hydrated along the way;
- bring an energy bar or something similar in case you start feeling weak;
- wear breathable sports clothing suitable for warmer weather (avoid loose-fitting trousers, and if you do wear them, secure the legs with a clip or something similar so they do not come into contact with the bicycle chain);
- wear comfortable trainers;
- avoid carrying too many things, and put whatever you do bring in a bicycle-friendly bag or backpack (make sure you do not overload yourself);
- although temperatures are no longer as high as they are in July and August, apply sunscreen to any parts of your body exposed to the sun.
It would also be a good idea to do some light stretching before the ride to warm up your body, especially if you are prone to injuries.
And don’t forget to check your bicycle the day before the Bike Ride so you don’t get any unpleasant surprises at the last minute. In fact, before every ride, it would be a good idea to perform an ABC (Air, Brakes, Chain) check — in other words, check the tire pressure, brakes and chain.
But what if you don’t have your own bicycle? We’ve got that covered too.
Thanks to our cooperation with Split Parking and the Nextbike public bike-sharing system, it will once again be easy to take part even if you don’t have your own bicycle.
All you need to do is download the Nextbike app, register and activate your account by paying the €10 fee, and then register for the event at Sunce’s information stand. If you are already a registered public bike-sharing user, you don’t need to register again, simply sign up with Sunce.
The cost of renting a Nextbike bicycle for the Bike Ride, between 3 PM and 9 PM, will be reimbursed to users who register their participation at Sunce’s stand. Just make sure to leave your personal details at the information stand, together with your bike number.
The fun continues in Đardin
Not in the mood for pedalling? No problem! Join us at the finish line in Đardin at around 5 PM, where a packed programme awaits.
As every year, the finish line will be in Đardin, with music, good company, fun activities and a chance to meet our partners. Refreshments will also be provided. Since we do not use single-use plastic, please note that drinks will be served in Sunce’s reusable plastic cups, for which a €2 deposit is required. The deposit will be refunded when you return the cup.
Of course, if you would like to keep the cup as a souvenir, you are welcome to do so, but in that case the deposit will not be refunded.
Try your hand at the cycling version of alka, with the same rules as the traditional Sinjska Alka. Ten places will be available in the competition, and the top three riders will win prizes!
Enjoy BMX acrobatics, take part in our free raffle and learn more about the work of the Sunce Association. Find out about volunteering, professional internships, membership opportunities and the projects through which we are working together to make Split more sustainable.
One of Sunce’s stands will be dedicated to our youngest visitors. During our STEM workshop, children will explore water, the sea and the life they support through experiments and play, as well as the threats they face. How does pollution reach our water? What happens when pollutants enter aquatic ecosystems? How are human activities changing our seas and rivers? And, most importantly, can we find solutions?
Take a look at what last year’s event looked like.
Green Phone – lend your voice to the environment
At Sunce’s stand, you can learn how to report environmental problems anonymously through the Green Phone or our social media channels. You’ll also be able to browse our information materials and talk to our team about how citizens can actively participate in protecting the environment.
If you already know about an environmental problem, you can report it right there on the spot.
Our legal team will provide assistance with complete confidentiality. Once we receive a report, we will refer it to the relevant authorities or, where appropriate, take part ourselves in the administrative proceedings to help resolve the issue. If necessary, we will visit the site or contact the media.
We cannot guarantee that every problem can be solved, but we will certainly do everything we can to help.
Together we can build a more sustainable Split
For years, Sunce has used the Split bike ride to advocate for more cycling infrastructure in Split and encourage people to choose bicycles more often for getting around the city.
We want to inspire as many residents and visitors as possible to discover just how simple, practical and enjoyable cycling can be. Every ride sends the same message: Split can be a city where bicycles are not the exception, but a natural choice.
Fifteen years of the Split bike ride would not have been possible without the support of our partners, sponsors, institutions, volunteers and all the participants who continue to show, year after year, that change starts with us.
The Tourist board of the city of Split, Split-Dalmatia county, the Tourist board of Split-Dalmatia county, Split Parking and Promet Split are co-financing the organisation of the 15th Split Bike Ride, supporting our efforts to promote sustainable mobility and a better future for Split.
We are also grateful for the support of the Split Youth Council, Art Bottega, Bio&Bio, Ekran Split, Joker, Like Hair Salon, Makarun Restaurant, Maritimo Recycling, Museum of Illusions Split, Rizzo, Touch Beauty Centre, ZipLine Omiš and Uručak hand-building clay workshops.
Every ride sends the same message: Split can be a city where bicycles are not the exception, but a natural choice.
Join us on September 20, hop on your bike and celebrate the 15th Split Bike Ride with us. Let’s show that a city can truly breathe when its streets belong to people, bicycles and good energy.