Romania and Hungary share a border of 448km and often come across shared challenges such as regional mobility and environmental sustainability. Cross-border cooperation has been the key to mutually address these challenges and come up with innovative ideas to improve connectivity, reduce pollution, and promote eco-friendly transportation which supports both local economies and the well-being of residents.

WHAT 

Romania and Hungary agreed to tackle the lack of safe, dedicated bicycle infrastructure across their border, particularly in rural areas like Mădăras, Salonta, and Sarkad. The border was seen as a physical and logistical barrier, complicating cross-border commuting, tourism, and environmentally-friendly transport, while also contributing to continued reliance on motorised vehicles and higher emissions in the region.

In early late 2018, the “The WeBike” project (The development of the bike track from the Salonta - Békéscsaba cross border area) was incepted focusing on extending and developing cross-border bicycle infrastructure between Salonta (Romania) and Békéscsaba (Hungary). Aimed at improving sustainable regional mobility and increasing tourism, the project focused on the need for safe and environmentally-friendly transport. The bicycle infrastructure played a key role in reducing gas emissions and promoting healthier lifestyles by providing a viable alternative to car travel for both daily commuters and tourists.

To achieve this, the project extended existing bike tracks in Sarkad, Salonta, and Mădăras, connecting rural and urban areas and enabling easier cross-border commutes. The project also contributed to making local tourist attractions more accessible by bicycle, encouraging eco-friendly tourism.

WeBike’s implementation objectives were: 

• Preparation of technical plans for the new bicycle tracks in Sarkad, Mădăras, and Salonta.
• Extension of the existing bike track in Sarkad by 3.34 km.
• Extension of the bike track in Mădăras by 5.326 km.
• Extension of the bike track in Salonta by 0.745 km.

WHO 

The WeBike project was led by the Municipality of Sarkad Város (Hungary), while Municipiul Salonta and Comuna Mădăras (Romania) acted as the other key partners. These local authorities worked together to enhance cross-border mobility and expand the bicycle network, connecting rural and urban areas between Romania and Hungary.

WHERE 

The WeBike project took place in the cross-border area of Hungary and Romania, primarily focusing on three local communities of Salonta, Sarkad, and Mădăras. 

HOW 

The overall project budget amounted to EUR 1,226,464.00, with EUR 1,042,494.40 being funded by the ERDF, through the 2014-2020 Interreg V-A Romania – Hungary Programme.

RESULTS 

The project successfully extended the cross-border bike track by 9.42 km, improving regional mobility and offering a safer way to commute across the border. The impact on the border regions includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Increased use of bicycles for daily commuting and tourism.
• Improved access to tourist destinations and local services.
• A reduction in pollution and noise from motorized vehicles, supporting the region's commitment to sustainable development.
• Raised awareness of the benefits of eco-friendly transport through social media campaigns and local events, including the bike tour.