bicycle

Unbelievable! This Hungarian cyclist has been held in an Indian hospital for 7 weeks already! – photos, videos

Viktor Zichó departed 10 months ago, and he would like to follow in the footsteps of the famous Hungarian orientalist and philologist, Sándor Kőrösi Csoma. Therefore, he is cycling from Hungary to India, a trip which Kőrösi Csoma did on foot at the beginning of the 19th century.

Of course, Mr Zichó expected that his journey would not be easy, but he never thought that he would have to spend 7 weeks in an Indian hospital because of the coronavirus epidemic. What is more, he spent one month in a Pakistani prison. However, he is not giving up, and he wants to finish the journey, of which he has some hundreds of kilometres ahead, Index reported. For example, this is how he trains even in the hospital to remain in shape:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cP_mpqJzQ/

Mr Zicho arrived in India on February 8 from Pakistan and spent one month there without any problems. The difficulties started in Delhi where people started to think that

the virus is taken in by the Europeans.

This is why, for example, locals threw mud balls at him at one time. On March 24, strict regulations were implemented in India to stop the spread of the virus; however, he could continue his journey even after that. It was more and more difficult for him to buy food, though, or charge his phone in a petrol station. Wherever he appeared, locals swarmed around him, but the police did not do anything but let him continue his trip.

This changed when he entered Bihar state where he was told to go to a local hospital in Chapra to be tested. There they told him that he could not leave the institution, and if he escaped, he could even get a prison sentence.

The Hungarian embassy offered him a plane ticket getting him out from the country, but he refused to accept because he believes that

what he is doing is a mission.

“I took some red-white-green ribbons in Csomakőrös (the birthplace of Sándor Kőrösi Csoma – the editor), and I have to bring them to Darjeeling, to the grave of Sándor Kőrösi Csoma. I will not leave six days before my goal,” he said.

In the hospital, he was placed in an isolation room, so he could not even leave the building for two weeks. However, one night a thief got in and took his phone, laptop, and trousers in which he kept his money and his passport. He made a huge song and dance about it, and thanks to that the police found the perpetrator and got everything back, except for his passport which was burnt with his trousers. As a result, he became a local celebrity; newspapers wrote about him and his mission, but they

misspelt both his name and his country.

Afterwards, he remained alone in his hospital room and was allowed to take trips in the yard where all the garbage is thrown out and where dogs and boars regularly try to find some food to eat.

He says that they sometimes miss water or electricity, but the internet network is surprisingly good. People are kind, helpful, and bring him local delicacies. He thinks that

local people are bearing the restrictions well.

In contrast, he would like to continue his journey ASAP since he has “only” 520 kilometres to Darjeeling.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVQTMRhdJf/

He decided to follow in the footsteps of Sándor Kőrösi Csoma in 2014 with two of his friends, but they later changed their mind, so he remained the only one. He started out in 2019 from Transylvania and tried to follow the route of Kőrösi Csoma, but he sometimes had to modify it because of security reasons. He crossed the Pakistani border illegally, but local police did not mind. Indian authorities were not so permissive and wanted to put him on a plane home. The Hungarian embassy then helped him and stated that what he was doing was a mission.

He spent 28 days at the international department of a Pakistani prison where the meal was better than in the Indian hospital since, in the latter, there is only a vegetarian menu.

He has already completed 12,942 kilometres, mostly from his own money. He says that people in Pakistan and Iran are very kind, and many of them invited him to spend the night in their homes instead of his tent. BBC Persia even interviewed him, after which many locals recognised him and wanted to help.

May 25, 2020

The Day of Transport Culture: Hungary’s most beautiful cycle path was announced

In 2020, the cycle path along Által-ér valley has won the tender announced on the occasion of the Day of Transport Culture (11 May). The approximately 7 km path is a popular destination because of the beautiful landscape and its excellent road quality.

„Safety has priority,”

claims the motto of the Day of Transport Culture. The development and deepening of the concept of transport culture are considered a national matter. In order to achieve safe and cultured travelling conditions, the Ministry, several partner organisations and civilians decided to cooperate and launched the Day of Transport Culture event on May 11, 2015. The initiative dedicated to the traffic culture and safe transport has evolved into a tradition since then.

On the occasion of this event, numerous tenders were announced as part of The values of our transport culture 2020 program, sokszinuvidek.24 reported.

Within the framework of the program, competitions were announced in several categories, such as

‘The cycle path of the year’

Az év kerékpárútja 2020-cycle path-Hungary — Photo: www.akozlekedesikulturanapja.hu

‘The road safety photo of the year’

Az év közlekedésbiztonsági fotója 2020 — Photo: www.akozlekedesikulturanapja.hu

‘The transport publication of the year’

Az év közlekedési kiadványa 2020-transport publication — Photo: www.akozlekedesikulturanapja.hu

‘The bridge of the year’

Az év hídja 2020-bridge of the year-Hungary — Photo: www.akozlekedesikulturanapja.hu

Many spectacular photos have been submitted for ‘The cycle path of the year’ category and the cycle path along Által-ér valley won the competition with 1406 votes. The cycle path between Pálháza and Bózsva has placed second with 1162 votes, followed by the cycle path along Füzérkomlós and Füzér with 1135 votes.

Read alsoBudapest turned empty roads into bike lanes because of coronavirus

Every submitted photo are available on the Facebook page of the Day of Transport Culture. The tender aimed to find the most beautiful cycle path in the country and this environment-friendly and healthy mode of transport.

According to the description of the winning cycle path,

we can admire the beautiful view from the cycle route to Gerecse. The cycle path along Által-ér valley is of good quality, with rest areas. It is the most important cycle path in Komárom-Esztergom county, which endeared cycling with the people living in the neighbouring settlements. It performs a touristic function and also allows for the locals to commute to work or school in the case of Tatabánya, Vértesszőlős and Tata. The path does not cross the main road, so it represents a high level in terms of traffic safety.

The archaeological site where the fossils of ’Samu’, the famous Homo heidelbergensis were found is also located along the route at Vértesszőlős.

Read alsoThese are the best and most beautiful cycling routes in Hungary

May 16, 2020

Record number of cyclists swarmed Budapest

“The usual, normal daily records were broken on several cycling measuring points in Budapest on Saturday, May 10. The growth of cyclist traffic can be seen throughout the entire city,” reports the announcement of the ‘Magyar Kerékpárosklub’ (Hungarian Cyclist’s Club).

Hvg writes that according to the organisation, it was the first time they saw this many cyclists over at the Bem Quay and Árpád Bridge cycling measuring points since the I bike Budapest parade in 2018, at the time of which over 25,000 people were present in total. According to the club, the data proves that many more people in Budapest would use bicycles if there were more proper bicycle lanes.

The results of the organisation’s measurements show that the cycle paths at the Buda embankment and at Árpád Bridge are the most popular, but at the same time, cyclist traffic on Hungária Boulevard and at the Weiss Manfréd Street cycle path leading to Csepel has also increased. There were more than 6,000 cyclists on the Bem Quay on Saturday and about 3,800 on the Árpád Bridge.

Cyclists Outdoors Budapest Biciklisek — Cyclists in Budapest, 9th May 2020 Photo: MTI/Bruzák Noémi

Regarding the briefing of the ‘Magyar Kerékpárosklub’, 24 wrote that according to the organisation,

Bartók Béla Street is the most popular among the new bicycle lanes in Budapest.

During weekdays, more people have used – about 3,600 just on Friday – the bike lane connecting the Danube with the Kelenföld railway station than the one on Árpád Bridge or Múzeum Avenue. The daily traffic of the bicycle lane going along Nagykörút (Grand Boulevard) can be estimated at 1,600 at the Oktogon area.

The last couple of weeks have supported the findings of previous research that say that bicycle is a solution available to the majority of residents in Budapest, but many people do not use bicycles because they are afraid of the usually crowded car lanes. Therefore, it is necessary to continue the developments of cycling lanes and paths in Budapest, MTI quoted the statement.

Read alsoBudapest turned empty roads into bike lanes because of coronavirus

Read alsoThese are the best and most beautiful cycling routes in Hungary

The club also proposed that new bicycle lanes should be created in the following places in Hungary’s capital: on Baross Street, Elnök Street, Dohány and Wesselényi Street, on Gázgyár, Szőlő, and Vihar Street, József Attila, Apáczai, Szemere, and Honvéd Street, on Vágóhíd Street, at the crossing on Tompa Street, and on Irinyi József and Karolina Road.

You can certainly go cycling during this crisis; it helps to keep you healthy, but in order to be safe, be sure to visit a place or visit it in a time that is not busy. Make sure to keep yourself to the guidelines of your municipality and try to avoid human contact as much as possible. Stay safe, be healthy.

May 11, 2020

Budapest turned empty roads into bike lanes because of coronavirus

Budapest City Council believes that temporary bike lanes provide a safe alternative for getting around in the current coronavirus situation when people are advised to avoid using public transportation.

Index reports that traffic in Budapest decreased by 60% due to the pandemic, and it has also led to a 90% drop in bus passengers on some routes. It was announced in March 2020 that Budapest started working on temporarily expanding the network of cycling routes in the city. This way, cycling can be a good alternative for everyone who is living in Budapest and has to go from one place to another but does not want to use public transport.

Magyar Kerékpárosklub provided a set of proposals detailing cheap and fast ways to create new bike routes in Budapest.

https://www.facebook.com/ibikebudapest/photos/a.968245529852819/3224306177580065/?type=3&theater

The expansion of the network of cycling routes started on Bartók Béla street and Tétényi street, but one of the most important additions include Üllői street, which is a crucial road connecting the inner and outer districts. Cyclists can now find the newly put up signs indicating the temporary bike lanes.

Unfortunately, most of these are temporary, and once everything gets back to normal, these lanes will resume functioning as regular car lanes. Metro constructions will likely start in the fall, and lanes will be much needed for the replacement buses on busy routes.

As we have reported earlier, Budapest City Council has already taken several steps to make cycling a good alternative to public transport during this pandemic. For example, as of 14 March 2020, the MOL Bubi system, Budapest’s public bike-sharing system is temporarily available for a symbolic fee of HUF 100. Simultaneously, in order to provide a simpler use, BKK launched the possibility of online registration. The public bike-sharing system is available with 157 docking stations and with 2,071 MOL Bubi bikes from Óbuda to Kelenföld and from Városmajor to József Attila-lakótelep.

April 24, 2020

Budapest’s public bike sharing system during the COVID-19 pandemic: online registration and a monthly fee of HUF 100

In compliance with the announcement made by Mr. Mayor Gergely Karácsony as of 14 March 2020, the MOL Bubi system, Budapest’s public bike sharing system is temporarily available for a symbolic fee of HUF 100. Simultaneously, in order to provide a more simple use, BKK launches even the possibility of online registration as a pilot. The public bike sharing system is available with 157 docking stations and with 2,071 MOL Bubi bikes from Óbuda to Kelenföld and from Városmajor to József Attila-lakótelep.

BKK Centre for Budapest Transport is doing its best with every available means to support citizens who wish to avoid the crowd during the pandemic, by using the MOL Bubi service. Therefore, BKK takes two significant and immediate steps in relation to the public bike sharing system, as follows:

Provides the MOL Bubi service temporarily for a symbolic fee of gross HUF 100/month for every single user.

The online registration and online conclusion of contract will be possible as a pilot, as a consequence of which, administration in person will no longer be required from this day to use the MOL Bubi public bike sharing system.

Developments planned to be made in the near future will be implemented sooner than planned, given the exceptional pandemic situation. Novelties have been already tested several times, yet we would like to kindly ask passengers to be patient and understanding, should technical errors occur in the very first days.

Originally, we were planning to renew the MOL Bubi system in the spring. Budapest’s public bike system launched in 2014 is compelling in terms of the number of its bikes and docking stations, yet we are doing our best to introduce a more simple registration and payment process, a new pricing policy, new discounts and even we are dealing with how we could improve the bike’s user experience. Thus, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are introducing such developments, whose preparations have been already begun and have been already in an advanced stage, declared Dr. Ivett Varga, BKK’s CEO. She added that when the pandemic is over, a tariff system higher than the recently-introduced HUF 100 but lower and more favourable than the previous one could be applicable for the MOL Bubi public bike sharing system.

Read alsoNew 360-degree short videos from Budapest – MOL Bubi

Further information on how to use Budapest’s public bike system
Online registration is possible at MOL Bubi’s website (molbubi.hu) and via the MOL Bubi app (Google Play http://bit.ly/molbubi_android, App Store: http://bit.ly/molbubi_ios). User account becomes activated after a short registration process. After the monthly fee in the amount of the symbolic HUF 100 has been settled online, the public bike system can be used right away.

Further good-to-know information for users:

In possession of the pass purchasable for HUF 100, a 30-minute ride is possible per occasion, without the need to pay any further fee. In case MOL Bubi bikes are used beyond 30 minutes on a continuous basis, a usage fee must be paid, whose amount is increasing, depending on the usage time. Thus, it is practicable to top up the user balance before using the public bike sharing system. Please find information on how to top up balance and also on the overusage fee at: hu/dijszabas.php.
Users purchasing the product for an amount of HUF 100 are allowed to use one bike at once.

Passengers who are currently in possession of an active MOL Bubi ticket or pass are entitled to continue using Budapest’s MOL Bubi public bike system with their active product. After the validity date of the ticket/pass has been expired, passengers who are currently using the system are entitled to purchase a monthly pass for the amount of HUF 100.

By taking the pandemic situation into account, BKK would like to kindly ask its customers to purchase the product available for the amount of HUF 100 primarily via the MOL Bubi app or the MOL Bubi website molbubi.hu, resulting in much lower health-related risks, compared to payment at docking stations. We would like to kindly call our customers’ attention to the fact that they are not required to visit the Customer Service Centres in person, and owing to the pandemic, we do not recommend that they do so, to purchase the pass in the amount of HUF 100. In case a MOL Bubi user wishes to visit a Customer Service Centre to settle the product in the amount of HUF 100, we recommend the usage of contactless bankcards, as even cash flow could pose an inherent risk of infection.

April 1, 2020

7 alternative activities to keep boredom and panic away during coronavirus crisis

Due to the Hungarian emergency measures, many activities such as concerts or theatre plays are cancelled, and even movie theatres and libraries might be closed. Some people can work from home, and all students need to stay home as well. ‘What can I do with this much free-time,’ one might ask. Well, we created a list of some activities you can do both indoors and outdoors to keep your boredom away.

Outdoor activities:

Although it is best to keep to the safety and comfort of your home, there are a couple of things you can still probably do outside, but always bring sanitisers with you and try to keep away from crowds.

Go cycling

If you must really get somewhere, to your workplace or to stores, for example, keeping human contact to the minimum by not using public transportation is a very good idea. As the weather keeps getting better, it will be easier to get around with a bike. If you have a bicycle yourself, it is already a good activity to get it into shape. Clean it, check the tires, oil the necessary parts, and check the lights. If you do not own one, it is easy to use one of the Mol Bubi stations to rent one in Budapest. As we mentioned, you can use it instead of public transportation, but you can also just use it as an exercise or recreational activity by visiting local parks.

Go on a hike

If you really need to get some fresh air, you can go hiking, but make sure to check whether the area you want to see is safe, and it would be a good idea to keep away from usual tourist hotspots. Try to ask around for local and unfrequented hiking locations. It is definitely easier to do this in smaller cities as there is usually not that many people around there, and also a simple walk or bike trip on the nearby forest path can be refreshing and even good for your health. It is important to ask whether it is safe to go out beforehand, keep human contact to the minimum, and always have sanitisers and other cleaning supplies with you. If you decide to go outside, here are some of Hungary’s most beautiful waterfalls.

Indoor activities:

Read a book

There are many things to this activity, more than you might first think. Firstly, many people probably have a book at home they wanted to finish or start reading for years but have not had the time. Well, now is the time. If you do not have a large collection of books at home that you can plunder, there are many online services where you can instantly download books for a small fee. Think about it, you could even start learning Hungarian. Secondly, by reading books – depending on the genre –, you can learn new things or get to ‘experience’ new worlds and new places you might never get the chance to do otherwise. It helps develop the visualisation skills of children, and you can maybe even help pupils with their compulsory readings.

Watch a movie

This might be quite self-explanatory, and you might already do that every night, but there are dozens of movies worth watching, and with the introduction of the new streaming services here in Hungary, more and more Hungarian movies are offered. Netflix has, for example, the Oscar-winning Son of Saul, the tragic historical movie of Ferenc Török, 1945, and Ildikó Enyedi’s Golden Bear-winning On Body and Soul. There is also a huge selection of Hungarian movies end series up on HBO Go: Aranyélet, a series about a criminal family, Terápia, The Whiskey Bandit, the animated movie Ruben Brandt Collector, and last but not least, Chuchotage. These are only some of the best Hungarian movies of the 2010s, you can read our full article here.

Cook something delicious

You can kill two birds with one stone with this one. It is not only a good recreational activity to do, but you and your whole family can also benefit from it. You can try out new recipes or practice old ones, live out your creativity and make healthy dishes that can help you get through this hard period. If you would like to try out some Hungarian dishes, we compiled the most inexpensive yet delicious Hungarian recipes for you.

Paint, draw, or create something

No wonder children like to do these from a young age. It is a fun activity, and the feeling of creating something can be very satisfying. You can buy starter kits with paints and brushes or with pencils online or in local hobby stores and start right away, but if you have children, you might have some of the necessary things at home already. Modelling is also great because it encompasses everything in one. You first create something while you put the miniature figure together, and you can live out your fantasy or tell a story while painting it. Do not know what to order, or you find it expensive? Just turn on your phone or tablet and you can download several types of apps that you can draw or paint with. There are colouring books for those who want an easier but just as satisfying experience. We have an article about the 5 most remarkable and iconic Hungarian paintings. We hope it might serve as an inspiration for you to start making something great.

Play board games or puzzles

Gather the family around and dust off those old board games on the shelf. Be it the humble chess, a simple game of Uno, the famous Monopoly, or any other new-wave board game, you are not going to regret it. If you are alone, you can connect to people on the internet and meet them locally, although if you do this, try to make sure they are healthy and possibly leave out the handshake. Again, if you do not have any of these at home, you can always search for chess or puzzle apps on your phone, or there are even computer programs where tabletop games are simulated and could be played online with others. Or, you can try and beat the record of completing the Rubik’s Cube. Here is our article with some other games you might want to try to get rid of workplace boredom.

Whatever activity you choose, do not forget to keep your hands and surroundings as clean as possible and try to keep human contact to a minimum, at least for now.

March 16, 2020

Hungary cancels starting stages of Giro d’Italia

Hungary will not host the starting stages of the Giro d’Italia in May because of the coronavirus outbreak in Europe, a government official said on Friday.

“Because of the serious epidemic in Europe, it will not be possible to organise the first three stages of the Giro d’Italia, the Grande Partenza, in May 2020,” government commissioner Máriusz Révész said on his Facebook page.

He said the Hungarian organisers had communicated with the Italian organisers several times in the past three weeks and signalled that the race could not be allowed to endanger the security or the health of Hungarian people. At a video conference on March 12, the Hungarian committee organising the contest said the Grande Partenza could not take place on the originally planned dates, he added.

“The sides agreed to make it a common goal to amend the [race] contract in the interest of starting the Giro d’Italia at a later time,” Révész said.

Hungary was to have hosted the Grande Partenza starting stages of the Giro d’Italia, one of Europe’s three cycling Grand Tours, from May 9 to 11. An individual time trial would have taken place in Budapest on Saturday, May 9; while the second stage would have started in the capital and finished in Győr (NW Hungary); and the third stage would have started in Székesfehérvár (C Hungary) and finished in Nagykanizsa, skirting the shores of Lake Balaton.

Hungary’s government earlier allocated 7.7 billion forints (EUR 22.8m) for the organisation of the three stages.

March 13, 2020

These are the best and most beautiful cycling routes in Hungary

As the weather turns warmer and spring arrives, this is the best time to explore the natural wonders of Hungary. You can either take a long trip or get your bicycle out of the garage and explore the marvels of the country on two wheels. Here are the best cycling routes in Hungary.

Magyarországom collected seven cycling routes you should try out at least once.

Danube Bend

This beautiful and unique area of Hungary lies in the northern part of the country above Budapest. The region is home to many historical towns, like Esztergom, where you can see the country’s biggest religious building after the St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, as well as the Castle of Visegrád, from where an amazing view is awaiting you. During the cycling trip, it is also advisable to spend some time in Szentendre.

Lake Velence

This Hungarian lake is the second biggest one in the country and is often called the little fellow of Lake Balaton. The region is not only popular among those who would like to swim and relax but also among cyclists, as around the lake there is a 30-km-long bicycle route.

Lake Balaton

The biggest lake in Central Europe is one of the most popular and most visited tourist destinations in Hungary. Around the lake, there is a 200-km-long bicycle route with exciting stops, villages, towns, and hundreds of attractions to see, like museums, chapels, churches, mountains, and wine regions.

Read alsoThe top five most beautiful chapels of Lake Balaton

Badacsony, Hungary, nature, geological — *Photo: www.facebook.com/csodasmagyarorszag*

Budapest

The capital has become a favourite destination for cyclists due to the many investments when it comes to the city’s bicycle map. Besides using your vehicle, there are several points in the city (called MOL Bubi) where you can rent bicycles. Andrássy Avenue, Margaret Island, and the mountains in the region of Buda are the perfect places for some exciting cycling.

Read alsoNew bicycle route map of Budapest – hop on your bikes!

Budapest, Buda Castle, Hungary — *Photo: www.facebook.com/spiceofeurope*

EuroVelo 6

The name EuroVelo refers to bicycle routes that cover the whole European continent, and three of them go through Hungary. This route enters the country in Mohács as a first stop, goes north through Budapest, and leaves Hungary in Komárom (Komarno).

Read alsoHighlights from the 2020 Busójárás! – Photo gallery

EuroVelo 11

Entering the country in Szeged (South-Hungary), this route goes along next to the River Tisza and even reaches Tokaj, which is the first officially registered wine region in the world and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hungary, wine, discover — *Photo: www.facebook.com/wellspringofwonders*

EuroVelo 13

This route goes through the Hungarian cities of Sopron, Mohács, and Szeged. The route enters many European countries that used to be a part of the Soviet Union, like Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia.

Featured image: www.facebook.com/csodasmagyarorszag

March 8, 2020

Only one fatal victim of road accidents in Oslo in 2019, Budapest to follow example

Dávid Vitézy, previous chief of BKK, has plans to introduce his Vision Zero Budapest program on Oslo’s example. Thanks to the significant decreasing of traffic in the Norwegian capital, the number of fatal victims of road accidents has dropped to almost zero. Almost 50 people die from road accidents in Budapest each year.

While in 1975 there were 41 people killed in road accidents, in 2019 one person died because of them, who drove his minivan into the railing next to the tram stop in Oslo, Vitézy wrote in a Facebook post, based on an Aftenposten article. It was the first time since WWII that no one from the group most affected by road accidents – children under 15, a single cyclist, a single pedestrian – was a victim of one in Norway’s capital in 2019. They are the ones most endangered by the car-centric city developments, because of the missing crosswalks, sidewalks, cyclist lanes, too high-speed limits and wide lanes. 35-40 per cent of victims in Hungary are either pedestrians or cyclists, while accidents are caused by passenger vehicle drivers 85 per cent of the time, reports Index.

Read alsoBudapest – New traffic regulations are planned to reduce air pollution

According to Vitézy, Oslo’s low number of victims is due to their active decrease of traffic, the goal of which is specifically to lower the number of fatal and seriously injured victims of road accidents to zero. Many cities call this the Vision Zero project. Many roads were blocked off from cars in Oslo to achieve this, and in their place pedestrian streets and bicycle lanes were built. Seven hundred parking spaces in streets were removed from the capital, recognising that cheap public parking is part of the problem. The prices were raised. Passing traffic was mostly pushed out of the city centre, and the freed space was used to build new bus lanes and safer bicycle lanes, in just a few years. On main roads, the speed limits were lowered. Drivers pay more attention, drive more slowly and defensively on roads that do not tempt them to speed.

The decrease of traffic in Budapest is usually brought up in relation with environment protection and climate change, although the lowering of the number of accidents and number of fatal or seriously injured victims should be just as significant. The roads, the distribution of public places, the width of lanes, properly wide bicycle lanes all play into how safe the city is, and how tempted people are to get into their cars, and if they do, how tempted they are to speed.

According to KSH’s 2019 data, while Budapest is only 2.5 times bigger than Oslo, the number of people who died on the roads was 35 times higher in the first three quarters of the year than in Norway’s capital. In 2018 there were 49 people killed on the roads and 819 who were seriously injured. Vienna is similar in size to Budapest, but the number of victims was a third of the Hungarian capital’s. One in 36,000 people die in road accidents, that means people from Budapest are twice more likely to die so than Londoners, three times more likely than Viennese people and 20 times more likely than the people of Oslo. Vitézy believes it is time to start the Vision Zero Budapest project.

January 8, 2020

Guinness Record in Budapest!!! – Two Frenchmen cycled 4,000 km, drawing ‘LOVE’ on the map – PHOTOS

Budapest has been chosen as the final destination of the two French cyclists who accomplished their ‘LOVE’ tour, finishing at Kossuth Square.

The two adventurers started their trip in Nancy and cycled through Europe in a way that their itinerary sketched the word ‘love,’ reported France Info.

The meaningful word was chosen for two reasons – firstly, because of its positive message; secondly, it is the anagram of the French word for bicycle: “vélo.”

Cycle tour love map (2) — *Image:*
*www.facebook.com/loveavelo.nancy/*

Ugo Pellini and Nicolas Klein cycled a total of 4,000 kilometres, thanks to which they can get on the list of Guinness Records in the category of greatest cycling GPS drawings;

whose record had been set by an Egyptian team by drawing a 761-kilometre-long ‘heart’ on the map.

On 1 September, the two friends started their tour at Stanislas Square (Nancy), rode through 11 countries, and finally crossed the finish line at Kossuth Square this Saturday.

Cycle tour love map (3) — *Image:*
*www.facebook.com/loveavelo.nancy/*

As Hungarian news portal hvg describes, they approached Hungary from Croatia, then rode along Lake Balaton in the direction of Budapest, completing the final letter of the ‘LOVE’ trip.

October 11, 2019

It is a nightmare – cycling in Budapest

A journalist of szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu gathered her experiences about how cycle-friendly today’s Budapest is, but the results are crushing.

She wrote that when she finished her studies, she had to choose between a 33 EUR monthly season ticket or buying a bicycle, and she chose the latter. Since then, she has been cycling a lot in Budapest and says that one of the biggest problems is that there are

far from enough parking racks in the city.

She says that, at first, she biked slowly in the city so she did not have any conflicts and thought that what her friends said about the disagreements between cyclists and non-cyclists are simply not true.

But then it started.

At first, drivers shouted at her in one-way streets only, in which cyclists are allowed to enter from both directions; however, most drivers just ignore the sign that says this. Downtown, bicycle paths disappear because of there being too many cars. Furthermore, since the quality of the road is very bad, and it is

full of pot-holes,

it is very hard not to cycle sometimes in the right lane, which makes drivers angry.

For example, near the House of Terror Museum, only 1/5 of the bicycle path can be used because of the many tourists taking photos there.

Another potential threat for all cyclists is taxi drivers who stop without a sign on the bicycle path to allow their passengers to get into or out of their car. There are streets where cyclists are unable to move because of parking cars. So, they have to use the pavement where pedestrians shout at them.

There are

bicycle paths that just disappear without any notifications

and continue somewhere else in the next street, which is very dangerous in places full of cars.

Tourists are also very dangerous for cyclists because they just ignore them while they are taking photos or just stop to admire the beauties of Budapest. Walking pedestrians using their phone pose an even greater danger and already caused many accidents.

The journalist declared in her last lines that she would like a Budapest with fewer cars and more empathy towards cyclists.

We reported HERE about the new bicycle route map of Budapest, and HERE you can find the heat map of Hungary’s most beloved bike routes.

September 21, 2019

Bike path between Budapest and Szentendre soon to be under construction

The foundation stone of the bike path between Budapest and Szentendre has been laid. The cycling road is to be built along the river Danube – this connecting route is one of the most neglected, yet one of the most-used parts of the Eurovelo 6 (European cycling route network). If everything goes as planned, the path will have been finished by next August.

So many people have been waiting for so long for this section to be built,

said Máriusz Révész, an active government commissioner, right before laying the foundation stone. Originally, the bike path was promised to be ready in the first half of this year the preparation processes and the coordination took far too long, though, so the construction can only be started in the autumn.

The 5.6-kilometre-long cycling route costs 850 million forints (2.837.257 USD) and mainly covers the path of the original tracks. However, one part of it is going to be built along Lake Lupa. The expected handover date of the route is going to be in next August.

The planned interventions:

a new cycling bridge over the creek Dera
renewal of the coverage on the existing parts of the bike path
building new tracks on the new section of the cycling route
paving the tracks along with the parts on the dirt road
traffic control

new cycling lane szentendre — Laying the foundation stone of the cycling route between Budapest and Szentendre
Photo: MTI/Máthé Zoltán

During the planning process, there was an important question about the section in Budakalász, where the path goes through the forest on a beautiful winding path. The existing, 2-metre-wide paved cycling route is going through the Natura2000 forest area, with small, unsafe arcs at the turns. They were uncertain about widening it, so, they planned to lead the EuroVelo on an alternative path. After the revision of the issue, they decided not to do that, and to keep the original track of the path – if it is environmentally friendly – by resolving the technical problems.

EuroVelo 6 is going to be extended towards the North as well.

A new cycling route is planned to be constructed in September between Szentendre and Visegrád. The new line is going across the island on two newly built cycling bridges at Szentendre and Kisoroszi, according to the plans. The bike path between Szentendre and Pomáz is ready, and it is going to be handed over soon in the next few days.

The renewal of some bike path sections of the Lake Balaton (that do not require the permission of construction) has already been started. After permission is granted, the rest of the path is going to be paved on the line of Balatonlelle-Siófok-Balatonakarattya. The construction of the bike path connecting Budapest with Lake Balaton is also going to start in September on the section between Budapest and Etyek.

August 30, 2019

Heat maps of Hungary’s most beloved bike routes

Here are the heat maps of the most popular bike routes in the five most bike-friendly Hungarian cities: Budapest, Szeged, Debrecen, Székesfehérvár and Győr. These maps show which routes the bikers loved the most, and which ones they avoided in the big cities.

The heat maps were created thanks to the spring campaign of Bike to Work, Turizmus.com reports. A campaign, which is organised by Hungarian Cyclists’ Club.

Bike to Work

Hungarian Cyclists’ Club (HCC) is the most significant civil organisation in the Hungarian cycling society and affiliated organisation of the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF). The Bike to Work campaign began in 2007. Back then, it was organised by the Ministry of Economy and Transport, but the Hungarian Cyclists’ Club took over in 2008. HCC is now running yearly Spring & Fall campaigns.

The aims of Bike to Work are to create a healthier and happier community and a more liveable environment by maximising cycle commuting to work.

Spring campaign (6 May – 31 May)

5,293 people took part in the spring campaign of Bike to Work, who together burnt 8,642,144 calories. They also saved the planet from 76,947 tonnes of carbon dioxide, and they saved themselves almost 215,000 Euros worth of gas, which they would have needed if they had gone to work by car. During this period, people cycled over 480,000 km, which is about the same as cycling around the whole country 214 times.

The heat maps were created with the help of an app called Bike Citizens. People could use the app to monitor their routes anonymously. The app was able to track the most and least popular bike routes the users followed. The cities where the most took part in this campaign and cycled to work are Budapest, Szeged, Debrecen, Székesfehérvár and Győr.

Budapest

Győr

Szeged

Székesfehérvár

Debrecen

Featured image: Facebook.com/bringazzamunkaba

August 16, 2019

These are the Hungarian stages of Giro d’Italia 2020

The international Italian bicycle race, Giro d’Italia, kicks off in Hungary next year. The first three stages were announced recently.

Nemzeti Sport reports that the three Hungarian stages of Giro d’Italia 2020 were officially announced.

The first stage will be an individual time trial that starts on the 9th of May in Budapest. The 9.5-kilometre-long stage will kick off from Heroes’ Square and eventually gets to St Stephen’s Basilica along Andrássy Road, from where it continues to Sr Antall József quay. Here, the route continues to the north, crossing the Danube to Buda on Margaret Bridge. Then it goes along Fő Street, all the way to the Buda Castle Tunnel, eventually reaching the Matthias Church in the Castle District.

? Stage 1
⏱ Budapest ITT
? 9th May 2020 – 9.5km#Giro pic.twitter.com/b0pWyWE7wI
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) June 27, 2019

The second stage, taking place on 10 May, is 193 kilometres long, stretching from Budapest to Győr. It will start in Szentendre and cross the Pilis Mountains near Pilisszentlászló. It will reach the Danube Bend near Visegrád-Lepence, and right after it leaves Esztergom, it turns to Tatabánya. However, the route goes around Tatabánya from the north. Then, it follows Kisbér, after which bikers will reach the scenic Pannonhalma, eventually reaching Győr.

? Stage 2
?‍♂️ Budapest – Győr
? 10th May 2020 – 193km#Giro pic.twitter.com/DBkV1rVLjk
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) June 27, 2019

The third stage starts from Székesfehérvár on 11 May, going around Lake Balaton on the Northern Shore, and it ends at Nagykanizsa. The 197-kilometre-long stage crosses Veszprém, Balatonfüred, Tihany, Tapolca, Keszthely, Zalaszabad (the first Hungarian village where a statue of Ferenc Puskás was erected), and Zalakaros.

? Stage 3
?‍♂️ Székesfehérvár – Nagykanizsa
? 11th May 2020 – 197km#Giro pic.twitter.com/elZ90Chz0g
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) June 27, 2019

Máriusz Révész, a government commissioner, told Nemzeti Sport that 3-4000 thousand fans are watching Giro d’Italia daily on the side of the road, and at the same time, the millions of people are watching the race on television. This is a great opportunity to show the beauty, sights, and monuments of Hungary to the world.

Révész hopes that the race will highlight the importance of bicycling in Hungary and will improve its status as well.

Since Giro d’Italia is one of the world’s most watched, most important and most popular sports event, the fact that it has a Hungarian stage is of great importance, representing a milestone in the history of Hungarian biking.

Tünde Szabó, State Secretary for Sports, revealed that organising such an event is a challenge, but the Hungarian team has exceptional organising skills.

Both Révész and Szabó are positive that

fans who come to Hungary to watch the race and people watching the race on their TVs will both remember next year’s event for years.

Giro d’Italia’s race director, Mauro Vegni, revealed that an urban individual time trial was organised in the past years in Dublin, Amsterdam, and Jerusalem, so they have used this method in Bologna this year and will be the opening number of the Grande Partenza in Budapest.

The final 1.5 kilometres of the first stage will close in a 4% slope. So the blue jersey for the best in the mountain classification, the pink jersey for the best in general, the cyclamen jersey for the best sprinter, and the white jersey for the best young rider will be handed out at this stage.

Vegni praised the amazing scenery of the second stage and said that the last 23 kilometres would be good for the sprinters.

The third stage (which is just as beautiful as the previous ones) will go across a plain too, making it a field sprint.

Paolo Bellino, the director of RCS Sport which organises Giro d’Italia, emphasised that almost 800 million people from over 200 countries watch the race each year. Giro gives each nation an opportunity to show their values and beauty to the world, all the while encouraging the younger biker generation to participate in such events, hopefully becoming strong competitors in the future.

The most challenging transfer in the race’s history will involve Hungary,

as this will be the first time that the race moves from abroad to Italy on the next day: the race continues in Sicily on the 12th of May.

None of the big three-week-long events has ever taken place in Hungary before. Giro d’Italia is organised since 1909 and only on 13 occasions was it organised elsewhere than Italy, the last time in 2018 in Israel.

featured image: https://www.facebook.com/giroditalia

June 29, 2019

Construction of Budapest-Balaton bicycle path has started

According to government plans, the current total length of Hungarian bicycle paths will be increased from 9,100 km to 15,000 km by 2030.

As Péter Cseresnyés, State Secretary in the Ministry for Innovation and Technology (ITM), said:

“Infrastructural conditions of cycling are continuously improved in Hungary; between 2014-2020, HUF 200 billion will be devoted to the construction of a 4,200-kilometre-long cycle path.” He also added that according to the schedule, the designing and building of the 15,000-kilometre-long bike path would be realised by 2030, which is a significant enlargement compared to the current length of 9,100 kilometres.

Péter Cseresnyés also revealed that based on the latest European data, the proportion of Hungarians using bicycles as their primary means of transport has increased to 22% after previous years’ 19%. Accordingly, Hungary is among the first three EU countries besides the Netherlands and Denmark.

The secretary emphasised that approximately 1,250 km of new cycling routes have been developed in Hungary since 2010.

The first phase of the complex renovation of the ‘Balaton Bringakör’ (Balaton Cycle Path) is currently being completed thanks to an investment of HUF 670 million. As a result, certain parts of the 220 km path were repaired, and more signposts have been provided. The renovation will continue in August with the construction of new sections. Presumably, by 2021, the Balaton Brigakör will be completely renewed.

Besides the development of the infrastructure, cycling services are also being extended around the lake. By way of example, with the involvement of the Hungarian Cycling Federation, HUF 1.2 billion of EU funding will be devoted to the realisation of an 800-kilometre-long tour route and three major bicycle service centres along Balaton Bringakör, including Balatonfüred, Keszthely and Balatonföldvár. The implementation of the project has already begun; it is scheduled to be completed in 2020.

As turizmus.com describes, the development of similar services can be expected in other key touristic regions – around Sopron-Neusiedl (‘Sopron-Fertő’) and the Upper Tisza.

In collaboration with the Hungarian Tourism Agency, public bike systems will be established from the financial support of HUF 1.5 billion provided by the government. This would be the tenth public bicycle rental network in Hungary, due to the fact that since 2014, such systems are already operated in Budapest, Debrecen, Esztergom, Győr, Hévíz, Kaposvár, Nagykanizsa, Szeged and along the river Drava.

Péter Cseresnyés added that the construction of the Budapest-Balaton cycle path would get started this year. Within the framework of the project, a 110-kilometre-long route will be built, creating long-term connectivity to the Croatian-Slovenian cycling path network.

Furthermore, the construction of Tiszafüred and Poroszló bike paths is also being realised from the financial support of HUF 4.2 billion. As a result, 6.6 kilometres of bicycle paths will be built, as a result of which Lake Tisza can be completely cycled around. The development is expected to be completed in the spring of 2020.

Additionally, missing bicycle road sections are also under construction between Tokaj-Rakamaz, Pomáz-Szentendre and Hatvan-Apc.

The Ministry for Innovation and Technology is constantly improving the infrastructural conditions of cycling, providing a safe and convenient alternative to private car use – emphasised the State Secretary.

June 17, 2019

Budapest mayor Tarlós: Extra funding for cycle paths

The municipality of Budapest has earmarked an additional 800 million forints (EUR 2.4m) in its budget for the development of cycle paths, Mayor István Tarlós said on Monday.

The state will provide matching funds of 800 million forints, Tarlós told a press conference. With a total of 1.6 billion forints, the first phase of the development of the European cycling route network Eurovelo will be implemented, he said.

Over the past ten years, Budapest’s leaders have invested far more money in cycling paths than previous municipal leaders, Tarlós said.

The MOL BuBi bike-sharing scheme and the cycling path network have been expanded, and funding has been provided to promote the cycle to work scheme, he said.

Mariusz Révész, government commissioner for an active Hungary, said promoting cycling would benefit car drivers as it reduces congestion.

Csaba Horváth, a Budapest assembly lawmaker for the opposition Socialists, said Tarlós and Révész had “kept secret” that 85 percent of the funding is European Union money. With the European parliamentary elections around the corner, this is something Budapest residents should know, he added.

Horváth said the cost per kilometre of 120-150 million forints was extremely high.

The construction of cycling paths should not require substantial spending on associated projects, he argued.

As we wrote a week ago, ten thousand cyclists took part in I Bike Budapest which was organised to emphasise the fact that bicycle roads and zones in Hungary need urgent change, and new ones need to be built by 2024. Despite the rain, many people rode their bicycles across the capital. Photos, video and more details HERE.

GIRO D’ITALIA TO SET OFF FROM BUDAPEST NEXT YEAR

May 7, 2019

Ten thousand participants in the rain at I Bike Budapest – Photos & Video

According to the police, ten thousand cyclists took part in I Bike Budapest which was organised to emphasise the fact that bicycle roads and zones in Hungary need urgent change, and new ones need to be built by 2024. Despite the rain, many people rode their bicycles across the capital yesterday.

The Hungarian Cycling Club released twelve plus one points for Budapest’s future mayor, listing every necessary investment to make cycling in the capital and in the country better and to make cycling an available opportunity for those who do not ride a bike every day or even often – reports Szeretlek Magyarország. Before I Bike Budapest set off, István Tarlós (mayor of Budapest), Gergely Karácsony (politician) and Róbert Puzsér (critic) gave positive feedback about the points. Moreover, this is the first time when a number of political parties support cyclists’ demands independently.

Participants arrived from every part of the capital and its agglomeration and even from Bratislava to show that Budapest could be an excellent city for cycling.

bike, Budapest, I Bike Budapest — *Photo: MTI / Márton Mónus*

Due to traffic regulations in Budapest, participants cycled through the capital reaching the main points and sights of the city. Cyclists with family and children could cycle a shorter way, and at some points of the route, musicians awaited everyone. I Bike set off from Margaret Island towards Chain Bridge, the Buda Castle Tunnel, Andrássy Road and the City Park where participants held up their bicycles for a minute.

GIRO D’ITALIA TO SET OFF FROM BUDAPEST NEXT YEAR

Budapest, I Bike Budapest — *Photo: www.facebook.com/ibikebudapest*

The 12+1 points are the following:

Better connection between the city centre and the outskirts of Budapest.
Building bicycle routes and zones on Üllői Road, Baross Street, South-Pest, Kőbánya, Kerepesi Road, Jászberényi Road, and Gyáli Road.
Modernising the bicycle route to Hűvösvölgy.
Improving Eurovelo 6 (bicycle route on the right side of the Danube) to the quality of western Europe’s.
Bicycle route on the left side of the Danube.
Bicycle route on Chain Bridge and József Attila Street.
Bicycle route on both sides of Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road.
Bicycle route from Váci Street; between Duna Mall and Nyugati Square.
Setting up more 30 km/h zones and slowing down traffic.
Reconstructing Petőfi Bridge with a bicycle route.
Combining the bicycle routes on Bartók Béla Road.
Additional bicycle parking spots at every point in Budapest.

Other important points are the more efficient reconstruction of bicycle routes and informing cyclists about traffic problems, educating cycling and emphasising the benefits of it, more modern Bubi bicycles in Budapest, and a safer Rákóczi Road and Grand Boulevard.

Video below!

[button link=”https://dailynewshungary.com/new-bicycle-route-map-of-budapest-hop-on-your-bikes/” type=”big” color=”orange” newwindow=”yes”] New bicycle route map of Budapest – Hop on your bikes! [/button]

I bike Budapest, Hungary, bike, sport — *Photo: www.facebook.com/ibikebudapest*

https://www.facebook.com/IMagyarorszag/videos/434814793731289/

Featured image: www.facebook.com/ibikebudapest

April 29, 2019

Giro d’Italia to set off from Budapest next year

Giro d’Italia, the prestigious annual multiple-stage cycling race, will set off from Budapest in 2020, Director Mauro Vegni announced on Monday.

Hungary will host three out of the 21 stages of what is generally considered one of the top three cycling races of the world.

“These three stages will offer Hungary a fantastic opportunity to present its beautiful landscapes to the global community,” Vegni said, adding that the details of the century-old race will be disclosed in June.

Deputy Mayor Alexandra Szalay-Bobrovniczky said

Budapest was “very proud” to have been selected as the site of Grande Partenza, the first stage of the race.

She said the event was expected to attract tens of thousands of spectators along the streets of the city and hundreds of million televiewers globally.

April 15, 2019