Legal aspects
• Bicycles in traffic must have: front white and back red lights, front white and back red reflective objects, brakes on both wheels, and a bell.
• While riding on roads, the bicycle must be to the most right possible.
• If a bicycle lane is present, you must use it.
• When on roads all lights must be on, except when stopped.
• When there is a group, they all must ride in a file, one behind the other.
• Wearing a helmet is compulsory by law, but there are no fines for not wearing (insurance related).
• It is forbidden to ride on highways.
Terrain
• There are mountains everywhere you go.
• There is virtually a constant change of elevation and scenery.
• Mountains 75%
• Hills and mountains 92,2%
• Highest peak is 2764 m.a.s.l. / 9068 ft.a.s.l.
• Highest road pass is 1600 m.a.s.l. / 5249 ft.a.s.l.
• Lowest point is 49 m.a.s.l. / 161 ft.a.s.l.
• Over 40 peaks higher than 2000 m.a.s.l. / 6562 ft.a.s.l.
• 40 mountains in total
• 14 mountains above 2000 m.a.s.l. / 6562 ft.a.s.l.
• 20 mountains from 1000 m / 3281 ft to 2000 m.a.s.l. / 6562 ft.a.s.l.
• 6 mountains bellow 1000 m.a.s.l. / 3281 ft.a.s.l.
Traffic & Infrastructure
• Traffic is on the right side of the road, so ride on the most right edge of the road, but do leave some 50cm/1,5ft of free space on your right for you to manoeuvre.
• Only major towns have bicycle paths or lanes (Skopje, Prilep, Ohrid, etc.).
• Motorized vehicle drivers are fairly considerate to bicycle riders on roads, and drivers’ awareness is increasing over time.
• Motor vehicles may pass at close proximity to the bicycle rider, maintaining stability is important in order to avoid accident. Fear from motor vehicles is not welcome.
• Bicycle involved accidents are low.
• According to the World Health Organization report “Global Status Report on Road Safety 2013” Macedonia has the lowest number of traffic deaths per 100000 inhabitants in the Balkans (7,9), right after Slovenia (7,2), meaning that it is safer than in: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey. Macedonia also has lower traffic death rate than Belgium, Hungary, Korea, Moldova, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, USA, etc.
• There are a great number of auxiliary and local, village roads that bare almost no traffic and are great to ride.
• A number of local and regional public roads are not paved and pose increase in the difficulty and adventure riding at the same time.
• Small, local public roads can be only 3 meters wide and have bidirectional traffic, consider that you will be overtaken and a vehicle may come from the opposite side.
Considerations
• Bicycle related legislation is not rigorously implemented.
• Water from tap and springs is drinkable (almost) everywhere so you can refill regularly, but do carry an extra bottle.
• Summer period can be extremely hot, around 40ºC / 104F, plan not to ride during the mid day to avoid sun stroke.
• Winters can be extremely cold, down to -20ºC / -4F, take warm clothes and expect snow in the mountains.
• In big towns, such as Skopje, there is a strong chance that your bicycle will be stolen in case you leave it unattended.
• There is no centralised emergency phone number. If you get into a trouble or even get injured call: Police – 192, Fire Brigade – 193, Ambulance – 194, Crisis Management Centre – 195, or when taking our tour just call us: +389 78 982981.
