Useful info for cyclists

 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.

Bicycle
  If you want to come to Macedonia with and on your own bicycle, then it might be best if you follow the Euro Velo route 11. That way eventually you will arrive to Macedonia. There are other ways to get here as well, but if you are really up for this (regardless if you need our services or not) write to us, we’ll give you some advices, for sure.

Airplane
 Several airlines have regular flights to Skopje. To name them: Adria Airways, Air Serbia, Austrian Airlines, Belair Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Edelweiss Air, Fly Dubai, Germania Fluggesellschaft, Lufthansa, Pegasus Airlines, Swiss, Turkish Airlines and Wizz Air.

 Direct flights are available (at the time of making this page) from the following destinations:

Austria:
  Vienna (Austrian, Lufthansa)
Croatia:
  Zagreb (Croatia Airlines)
Germany:
  Berlin - Schonenfeld (Germania Fluggesellschaft)
  Dortmund (Wizz Air)
  Dusseldorf (Germania Fluggesellschaft)
  Memmingen (Wizz Air)
Italy:
  Bergamo (Wizz Air)
  Treviso (Wizz Air)
Serbia:
  Belgrade (Air Serbia)
Slovenia
  Ljubljana (Adria Airways, Lufthansa)
Sweden:
  Gothenburg - Saeve (Wizz Air)
  Malmo (Wizz Air)
  Stockholm - Nykoping (Wizz Air)
Switzerland:
  Basel - Mulhouse (Wizz Air)
  Zurich (Belair Airlines, Swiss, Edelweiss Air)
The Netherlands:
  Eindhoven (Wizz Air)
Turkey:
  Istanbul - Ataturk (Turkish Airlines)
  Istanbul - Sabiha Gokcen (Pegasus Airlines)
United Arab Emirates:
  Dubai (Fly Dubai) 
United Kingdom:
  London - Luton (Wizz Air)

 There is another commercial airport in Macedonia, and it is in Ohrid. However it is almost impossible to find a flight that goes there. Mainly charter flights in the summer season go there.

Car
 If you like a good road trip, then take just any road, otherwise the European route E75 is the most obvious one to take since it cuts through Macedonia.
In any case, google has a simple service that you can use.

Bus
 There are a few bus lines that go to Macedonia, however not a part of Eurolines. So you’ll have to look more on this one. Just know that there are busses from Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, Slovenia, Serbia, Switzerland, Sweden and Turkey.

Train
 Though once upon a time the Balkan Express was a popular ride, now it is not really the best possible option. If you are absolutely sure you want to arrive by train, then the best option is via Belgrade, Serbia or via Thessaoliniki, Greece. The railroad track going to Albania or Bulgaria is still in making.