Ljubljana Cyclists’ Network (Ljubljanska kolesarska mreža – LKM) was formed on July 10, 2000.

The main objective of the Ljubljana Cyclists’ Network civil group is a gradual but radical change in the perception of urban traffic – with bicycling as one of the most important components – as well as tangible legal and infrastructural steps toward a sustainable and less polluted and friendlier environment.

LKM is active on two main fronts – one public and the other institutional. The activity on the public front largely means staging public protests with a message and a strong media-impact. LKM has so far staged 12 such protests, ranging from gatherings of several hundred people to more focused protests with a specifically targeted message. Among the more successful protests was one that also included children and stressed the fact that traffic in Ljubljana is extremely unpleasant and dangerous for children, or the one in which LKM members painted white lines around illegally parked cars on cycle lanes and sidewalks, thus showing the cruel reality of parking in Ljubljana. 

All LKM public activities have been thoroughly reported by TV, radio and daily newspapers thus strengthening the public awareness of urban traffic problems and at the same time putting some additional pressure on the municipality.

LKM has also directly confronted the Ljubljana municipality, the city council and the police – as well as the mayor personally – about urban traffic problems with an emphasis on cyclists, pedestrians and public transport. All these institutions and individuals responsible for activities lack a vision and a comprehensive strategy for making urban traffic work and for making the city of Ljubljana a safe and pleasant place.

Although it is extremely difficult for a civic movement to have any influence on the thoroughly politicized municipality and city council – let alone the police – Ljubljana Cyclists’ Network has made considerable progress in that regard. It is now sometimes consulted about cyclist matters, and it has more or less forced the municipality into accepting (and placing) proper bicycle stands in some parts of the city, and also managed to get cycling as a separate category included in the future city plan.

LKM has also convinced the Ljubljana municipality to join the European Car-Free Day on September 22, and so Ljubljana has taken part in this international event since the year 2000.

In March 2001 Ljubljana Cyclists’ Network formed a national association together with Maribor Cyclists’ Network. The Slovenian Cyclists’ Network is aimed at raising the awareness for and use of cycling and other forms of sustainable transport on the national level. It has made progress wit the Ministry of Health where LKM is leading a research group for healthy transport preparing a draft of the national policy. 

LKM has also filed its comments and suggestions for a new national traffic law.

In 4 and 5 May LKM has attended an international seminar in Szeged, Hungary, organized by the European Academy of the Urban Environment, and made a contribution on the state of traffic in Ljubljana which was also later included in a publication. LKM has also taken part in the seminar on traffic and environment held by the Slovenian Academy of Arts and Sciences. 

On the European Car-Free Day in 2001 LKM has organized its own seminar on urban traffic, attended by several international lecturers and an audience of many representatives from municipalities from all over Slovenia. 

Cycling alert 

One of the first actions of Ljubljana Bicycle Network was a "Cycling alert" – a ride to five important state and city offices: the Slovenian Parliament, the Ljubljana police head office, the Slovenian president's office, the Slovenian Government office and the office of the Mayor of Ljubljana. 

At each of these points members of Ljubljana Bicycle Network handed two documents to the officers, namely the President of the Slovenian Parliament Mr. Janez Podobnik, the director of Ljubljana police Mr. Branko Slak, the President of Slovenia Mr. Milan Kucan, the Prime Minister of Slovenia Mr. Andrej Bajuk and the Mayor of Ljubljana Ms. Viktorija Potocnik. The first document contained some findings and conclusions about the critical state of traffic in Ljubljana and also Slovenia in general and urging the addressees to start doing something about it. The second document contained information about the European Car Free Day and also an appeal to make this day happen in Ljubljana and Slovenia.

The urging by the Ljubljana Bicycle Network encountered a very positive attitude, and all the addressees expressed their sympathies and their preparedness to help make things better. The Slovenian President Mr. Milan Kučan even borrowed a bicycle from one of the members and rode some 30 metres with the group.

The then Slovenian president Mr. Kučan on a borrowed bicycle