Bitola – Bike city

This initiative will monitor the election promise for the reconstruction and construction of new pedestrian and bicycle paths. Pedestrian and bicycle paths are extremely important for a municipality such as Bitola. There are a large number of people who want to recreate or walk around the city every day, but a large number of them also use bicycles or walking to reach a certain destination (work, school, etc.) by enabling special pedestrian and bicycle zones throughout the city , the residents of Bitola will gain a large number of health and environmental benefits. The obtained results of the monitoring will be disseminated to the public through: Sponsored posts on social networks, announcements to the media, info sessions.

Implementer
Youth Association YMCA - Bitola
Location
Bitola
Budget
172000 denars
Status
Active

MONITORING MATRIX

  • I. Status of the monitored item

      Monitoring criteria Status Brief description and comments Source of information
      1 Implementation
      1.1 A decision has been reached to start the implementation of the monitored item N/A In December 2022, for the next year 2023, the realization of bicycle paths is planned according to the mayor's statement on the website of the Municipality of Bitola. There is no information about an official decision to start https://www.bitola.gov.mk/со-велосипедските-патеки-од-идната-го/ https://www.bitola.gov.mk/подобрување-на-инфраструктурата-на-40-у/
      1.2 A procurement process is being/has been carried out related to the monitored item N/A There is currently no information
      1.3 Informative meetings and gatherings with stakeholders have been held On the day of the liberation of Bitola, November 2022, a general public forum for urban mobility was held, at which there was also an announcement about the project, but no meetings were held specifically on the issue Stakeholders, citizens
      1.4 An implementation plan has been prepared for implementation of the monitored item N/A There is currently no information on this issue. Meetings with officials from the municipality are scheduled for the month of April. Secretary of the Municipality of Bitola. Announcement of a meeting in the first week of April.
      1.5 Necessary prerequisites to start with the implementation have been provided (e.g. permits, preparatory activities, staff, etc.) Yes The process of removing temporary objects has started, which is a prerequisite for starting with realization. Visible in the field
      1.6 The municipality is implementing specific activities from the implementation plan Since last year, the municipality has started advocating for the release of public space, part of which should be for a bicycle path. Visible in the field
      1.7 Initial results from implementation of the monitored item are visible Yes Removal of garages and temporary kiosks that have been inactive for a long time, installation of bollards in order to protect the sidewalks. Increased checks on wrongly parked vehicles. Visible in the field
      2 Stagnation
      2.1 Lack of funds in the municipal budget There is no shortage of funds in the budget Address of the mayor on the occasion of the budget proposal for 2023 https://www.bitola.gov.mk/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%84%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-40-%D1%83/ https://www.bitola.gov.mk/budzet-2023-god/
      2.2 Lack of one/some of the basic prerequisites Yes Development of a construction project that is in the preparation phase https://www.bitola.gov.mk/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%84%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-40-%D1%83/
      2.3 The implementation of the monitored item is no longer a priority N/A In the annual program of the Municipality of Bitola, it is foreseen that this election promise is planned for 2023. https://www.bitola.gov.mk/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%84%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-40-%D1%83/
      2.4 Halted due to an inspection, investigation, etc. N/A The project is not stopped https://www.bitola.gov.mk/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%84%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-40-%D1%83/
      2.5 The reasons for the stagnation of the implementation of the activity are unknown N/A There is no stagnation https://www.bitola.gov.mk/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%84%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-40-%D1%83
  • II. Transparency and accountability of the municipality related to the monitored item

      Monitoring criteria Status Brief description and comments Source of information
      1 Information about the status of the monitored item is available on the municipality's website and social network Yes At the moment, on the website of the Municipality of Bitola, there is information announcing that there will be cycle paths in the Municipality of Bitola. These news are of an older date, i.e. from December 2022. https://www.bitola.gov.mk/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%84%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-40-%D1%83/
      2 Information about the status of the project is obtained through a Request for Access to Public InformationInformation about the status of the monitored item is obtained through a Request for Access to Public Information Yes The YMCA association, which follows the election promise, has submitted requests for information of a public nature. No other requests regarding the issue have been submitted. Person in charge of public information in the Municipality of Bitola.
      3 Information about the status of the monitored item is shared with stakeholders by municipal officials (via e.g. interviews, focus group discussions, meeting requests etc.) Yes Such information was obtained through statements to the public, which can be found on the website of the Municipality of Bitola. https://www.bitola.gov.mk/со-велосипедските-патеки-од-идната-го/ https://www.bitola.gov.mk/подобрување-на-инфраструктурата-на-40-у/ https://bitolanews.mk/2022/11/04/со-вело-патеки-општина-битол-ќе-ја-подо/
      4 There is practice of informal information sharing by the municipality with affected citizens (e.g. via informal discussions etc.) Yes From conversations with citizens, information was received that the municipality has a practice of informal sharing of information. Citizens
  • III. Citizen participation in decision-making related to the monitored item

      Monitoring criteria Status Brief description and comments Source of information
      1 The municipality has involved the citizens in decision-making related to the monitored item Yes The municipality has open days and events with proposals for the implementation of the budget of the Municipality of Bitola. There is no new news about the involvement of citizens on the specific issue. https://bitolanews.mk/2022/11/04/со-вело-патеки-општина-битол-ќе-ја-подо/
      2 Citizens have filed an initiative for participation in decision-making related to the monitored item Yes The initiative Bitola na tocak has held 63 critical tables to raise awareness regarding this issue. https://www.facebook.com/BitolaNaTocak
      3 Citizens participate in the implementation of the monitored item with their input and resources Last years, within the framework of the initiative Bitola na Tochak, positive practices from other cities were shared on social networks and meetings with the Municipality were participated in for discussion regarding this issue. https://www.facebook.com/BitolaNaTocak
      4 Mechanisms utilized by the municipality to ensure citizen participation, specifically as related to the monitored item:
      4.1 Public gatherings, debates and forums There are no public events organized by the municipality. The movement - Bitola na točak often organizes public events regarding this issue https://www.facebook.com/BitolaNaTocak
      4.2 Possibility for e-participation via mobile apps, website(s), electronic templates, etc. Yes At the moment, the m-community application is active, where you can propose solving a problem or starting an initiative. https://mzaednica.mk
      4.3 Open days of the municipality Yes In the Municipality of Bitola, in practice, 4 open days are implemented for the citizens, and more open days are held if necessary. https://www.bitola.gov.mk/%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%87%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%82-%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D0%BA/%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD_6/
      4.4 Citizen initiatives Yes Yes, there are bike lane initiatives. https://www.apla.mk/direktno/item/10496-ne-za-motorizacija-na-bitola-dajte-prostor-za-peshaci-i-velosipedisti