Number of Cyclists in Sofia up by 140% in 3 Years

The number of cyclists in Sofia has gone up by around 140% over the past three years, according to data of the VeloEvolution Association.

The number of people using a bike as a primary means of getting to and from school or work has increased substantially, according to the cyclists network, as cited by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency.

VeloEvolution has compared statistics from May and July 2015 to data from the respective months of 2012.

The average increase in the number of cyclists on a workday in July 2015 amounted to 139%, while on a leisure day the increase stood at 143%, in peak hours.

The key areas in Sofia to register substantial increases by over 100% in the number of cyclists were Lions' Bridge (Lavov Most), the Borisova Gradina Park, and the corner of Patriarch Evtimiy Blvd and Vitosha Blvd.

The share of women cyclists increased from 13.8% to 15.2% in the period 2012-2015.

The most active cyclists are people aged 18-50, accounting for around 85% of the total.

The VeloEvolution Association attributes the substantial increase from the levels in May 2012 to the different weather conditions.