Once a city where the bicycle was a common sight before being overwhelmed by the post-communist boom of private cars, Tirana is now in the midst of an ambitious and transformative cycling revolution. Over the last decade, the Albanian capital has embarked on a comprehensive plan to reshape its urban mobility, placing bicycles at the heart of its vision for a sustainable, healthier, and more connected future. This in-depth analysis, drawing from official municipal strategies, international partnership documents, and expert assessments, explores the strategic foundations, on-the-ground implementation, and persistent challenges of Tirana’s journey to become a leading cycling city in the Balkans.
The Strategic Blueprint for a Cycle-Friendly Capital
Tirana’s pivot towards active transport is not a series of isolated projects but is deeply rooted in a multi-layered strategic ecosystem. These foundational documents provide the vision, mandate, and framework for prioritizing cycling as a core component of the city’s long-term development.
The TR030 General Local Plan: A New Urban Vision
The cornerstone of Tirana’s transformation is the General Local Plan, “Tirana 030” (TR030). Developed in collaboration with international firms like the renowned Stefano Boeri Architetti, the plan outlines a future for Tirana as a “polycentric and kaleidoscopic” metropolis that balances urban development with nature. A key component of this vision is Strategic Project 11, which, based on the plan, explicitly includes the development of a comprehensive network of dedicated bicycle lanes throughout the city, positioning cycling as fundamental to Tirana’s future identity.
Green City Action Plan (GCAP): Aligning with International Standards
Further reinforcing this vision is the Green City Action Plan (GCAP), a comprehensive document developed by the Municipality of Tirana in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). According to the official GCAP document, Tirana is on the verge of a “green revolution,” with significant steps already taken to transform its mobility model. The GCAP sets forth clear strategic objectives for sustainable mobility:
- SO.1A – Modal Shift: Increase the share of the population using non-motorized transport (like cycling) and public transit.
- SO.1B – Intelligent Mobility: Enhance the use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for better transport planning.
- SO.1C – Curbing Urban Sprawl: Introduce measures to reduce travel distances by containing uncontrolled development.
To achieve this, the GCAP outlines high-priority measures, including SM1: Reallocation of road space for buses and cyclists, with a planned investment of 670,000 Lek, based on the same GCAP report.
Bloomberg Recognition and International Partnerships
Tirana’s efforts have garnered significant international attention. In a major boost to its ambitions, Bloomberg Philanthropies selected Tirana as one of 10 cities to receive support for innovative cycling infrastructure, as reported by multiple news outlets. Based on the announcement, this partnership provides crucial technical assistance to design safe intersections and build a cycling network suitable for all ages, with the stated goal of revitalizing neighborhoods and promoting public health.
From Blueprint to Asphalt: The Evolution of Tirana’s Cycling Network
Translating strategic vision into physical infrastructure has been a dynamic and challenging process. The city’s approach has evolved from initial large-scale plans to more adaptive strategies focused on connectivity and user functionality.
The Dutch Blueprint and Network Expansion
A cornerstone of the physical transformation was a comprehensive project designed with a Dutch urban planning studio. According to a report by Shqiptarja.com, this ambitious plan foresaw the construction of 52 kilometers of high-quality, safe bicycle lanes. By the end of 2020, officials reported that 33 km of this plan had been completed.
Further data from the Sustainable Development Strategy of the Municipality of Tirana 2023-2027 confirms a sustained investment, stating that a total of 37,340 meters of bicycle lanes were constructed under the Municipality’s supervision between 2015 and 2022.
A Tale of Two Systems: From Ecovolis to Mobike
Tirana’s experience with bike-sharing illustrates its technological and strategic evolution. Bike Sharing in Tirana seems to have not gone well, from our research.
- Ecovolis: Launched on March 22, 2011, Ecovolis was a community-based bike-share program that successfully raised the profile of cycling in the city. Based on program reports, it grew to four stations and around 2,000 subscribers by 2014 but faced significant challenges, including the theft of 80 bikes in its first year. (An on the ground report from July 2025: We have not been able to find any active shared bike systems or racks.)
- Mobike: In 2018, Tirana became the first city in the Balkans to introduce the “Smart Bike Share” dockless system from Mobike, as reported at the time. This move, based on a Chinese-Italian collaboration, brought 4,000 new app-operated bicycles to the city, representing a major technological leap forward. (Similar to the above, we at BikeTirana have not been able to find any MoBike stations within Tirana as of 2025, and their last social posts are from 2019. We believe it no longer exists within Tirana.)
Monitoring Success: Counting Cyclists
To track the impact of these investments, the Municipality of Tirana installed electronic counters at three key locations. According to official data published on Open Data Tirana, these counters registered a total of 2,180,474 bicycle crossings between January and December 2024. This equates to an average of 5,948 cyclists per day at just these three points, providing concrete evidence of the growing cycling culture.
The Ambitious Road to 2030
The city’s leadership has set a remarkably ambitious target for the future. In a statement reported by Top Channel, Mayor Erion Veliaj declared, “our ambition is that by 2030 we will catch up with Copenhagen, meaning 50 percent of trips in Tirana will be by bicycle.”
This goal is supported by data from 2018 showing rapid growth, when bicycle usage was reported at 6%, a doubling from the 3% recorded just one year prior, as stated in a report from Java News. This vision is also integrated with a plan to have a 100% electric bus fleet by the same year, based on official announcements.
Navigating the Headwinds: Implementation Challenges
Despite clear political will and tangible progress, the rollout has faced significant hurdles, exposing a gap between the strategic vision and the on-the-ground reality.
Technical and Safety Deficiencies
A primary critique is that the quality of the new infrastructure is often inconsistent. According to a report from Citizens.al, one expert has claimed that “50% of the constructions in Tirana are wrong” in the context of cyclist safety.
Common issues cited by experts and users in various reports include:
- Inconsistent Design: Based on a critical analysis by Porta Vendore, many lanes have inconsistent standards, using a mix of colors and separation methods, with some placed directly on sidewalks, creating conflict with pedestrians.
- Safety Flaws: The same analysis highlights inadequate lighting for nighttime use and poorly designed intersections that pose significant risks to cyclists.
- Lack of Enforcement: A major persistent challenge is the misuse of bike lanes by illegally parked cars and motorcycles, which forces cyclists back into dangerous vehicular traffic, a problem highlighted in municipal transport reports.
The Politics of Pavement and Social Conflict
Reallocating scarce urban space from cars to bikes is a deeply political act. According to a report from Gazeta Si, the process has “ignited social conflict.” Businesses, particularly in commercial areas, have voiced dissatisfaction over the loss of parking, arguing it has hurt their operations. This has created a contentious public discourse about who the city is for and which mode of transport should be prioritized.
The Path Forward: Education and Future Projects
Recognizing that infrastructure alone is not enough, the city is investing in the “software” of cycling culture. Based on a report by ABC News, the Municipality of Tirana has finalized a tender for a “Bicycle School”aimed at children aged 7-10. This 73.2 million Lek project will be located near the Air Albania stadium and will teach the next generation the skills and rules for safe cycling.
Future infrastructure plans include extending the network to recreational areas, with a project to build a pedestrian walkway, running track, and bicycle lane at Farka Lake, as detailed in public procurement documents.
Conclusion
Tirana’s cycling revolution is a compelling case study in ambitious urban transformation. The city has successfully established a strong strategic foundation, secured international partnerships, and built a substantial network of lanes that are actively used by a growing number of citizens.
However, the journey is far from over. The crucial next phase will depend less on the quantity of new lanes and more on their quality. Addressing the critical safety deficiencies, ensuring strict enforcement, and skillfully managing the social conflicts over public space will be paramount. By focusing on creating a truly safe, connected, and high-quality network and investing in a new generation of educated cyclists, Tirana has a genuine opportunity to achieve its bold 2030 vision and become a model of sustainable mobility for the entire region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many kilometers of bike lanes does Tirana have?
Based on the Municipality’s Sustainable Development Strategy, over 37 kilometers (37,340 meters) of bicycle lanes were constructed between 2015 and 2022. The city has been working on a larger plan that foresaw a 52 km network, according to media reports. (This differs slightly from our reporting at Cargo Bike Tirana 2025.)
2. What is Tirana’s main goal for cycling?
According to a statement by Mayor Erion Veliaj reported by Top Channel, the city’s ambitious goal is for 50% of all trips in Tirana to be made by bicycle by the year 2030.
3. What are the biggest challenges for cyclists in Tirana?
Based on expert analysis and media reports, the main challenges include inconsistent infrastructure quality, significant safety concerns at intersections, and a lack of enforcement against cars and motorcycles illegally blocking the bike lanes (as highlighted by sources like Citizens.al and Porta Vendore).
4. Who is helping Tirana develop its cycling network?
Tirana is collaborating with several international partners. Key among them are the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) through its Green City Action Plan, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, which selected Tirana for its innovative infrastructure initiative.
5. What was the Ecovolis program?
Based on its official history, Ecovolis was a pioneering community-based bike-sharing program launched in 2011. It played a key role in promoting cycling in Tirana before being succeeded by the larger, app-based Mobike system in 2018. (Neither Ecovolis, or MoBike appear to be active as of 2025.)
6. How many people cycle daily in Tirana?
While a city-wide total is difficult to measure, data from electronic counters at just three major points in the city recorded an average of 5,948 cyclists per day during 2024, according to Open Data Tirana.
