Novi Sad, the Serbian capital of bicycles

People choose to ride bikes for many different reasons. Firstly, they are mobile, in the age of everlasting traffic jams, where everybody’s always late, navigating through narrow paths and shortcuts sounds like a true time saver, and therefore a life saver. Some choose the bikes because they are healthy - they move around in a convenient way and get daily exercise. Some like them because they are eco-friendly or because they are just more fun than walking and less stressful than driving. People of Novi Sad are passionate about riding bikes, and this reflects a lot on the overall look of the city. It’s quickly become the Serbian epicenter of urban bike riding. Or as I like to call it, the Serbian capital of bicycles.

The city has a long web of bike paths that cross most of the popular attractions and follow the main streets. The surrounding area, like a picturesque village Sremski Karlovci, and natural oasis like Fruska Gora, make bike riding a perfect way to discover nature, culture and all the amenities Novi Sad has to offer. The bike culture is so strong here that they even have the eco-friendly delivery Eko-kurir service that’s run entirely by bikes!

Discovering Novi Sad on a bike

The mobility of bike riding while discovering the city is priceless. You can stop at the Serbian National Theatre, take a stroll through the Museum of Contemporary Art of Vojvodina, visit the genuine Synagogue, and all three within an hour of riding. The paths go through the old town, giving a glimpse of the old times and nostalgic narrow streets followed by rows of tall, old trees and colorful roof tiles.

One of the favorite local trails follows the Danube and offers the panoramic views of Petrovaradin Fortress and the four bridges over the Danube. This route passes next to the lively city beach Strand, which is a common stop for tired bike riders. It’s also possible to stop anywhere along the river’s flow and enjoy at its wild beaches filled with dusty white sand and other curious souls.

For those looking for a more advanced biking experience, there is Fruska Gora National Park, that offers a wide range of well-marked mountain bike trails. Although Novi Sad is perfectly suited for the amateur bike riders, the Fruska Gora trails can get very steep and demanding at certain places, so a good physical condition is advised for the visitors. 

Rent a bike in Novi Sad

In order to get the most out of your stay in Novi Sad, and get the real local feel, you can rent a bike by the hour or by the day. The city has developed an enviable public bike rental system, that’s available throughout the city, as 13 different locations. The city has provided the well-marked trails and more than 500 safe parking spots in various places. The best part? It costs around 1.5 EUR per day to rent a bike through the Novi Sad’s rental system called NS BIKE. An extremely biking friendly nature of the city, a large number of riders, and good weather during the most part of the year has made Novi Sad a true Serbian capital of bicycles!