Zagreb Cable Car Ban on E-Bikes Sparks Petition

A citizen initiative is pushing for a rule change regarding the Sljeme cable car in Zagreb, seeking to allow certified electric bicycles. While skis and snowboards are readily accommodated, electric bikes remain prohibited, a policy that petitioners argue makes Zagreb an outlier compared to many European mountain resorts.

Over 560 people have signed the petition, which calls on the City of Zagreb and ZET (Zagreb Electric Tram) to permit the regulated transport of certified e-bikes. The proposal suggests these bikes could be carried in cabins or on external racks, similar to how skis and snowboards are transported. The initiative highlights that destinations like Val Gardena, Schladming, and Mariborsko Pohorje have allowed certified e-bike transport for years.

The petition's organizers point out the significant shift in cycling tourism, with e-bike riders now comprising over 60 percent of users in trail centers and bike parks. They believe enabling e-bike transport via the cable car would foster sustainable tourism and increase visitor numbers to Medvednica mountain. The request specifically targets factory-produced, certified e-bikes that meet European standard EN 15194, excluding any uncertified or modified models.

Referencing European regulations, the petitioners note that e-bikes with motors up to 250W, providing pedal assistance up to 25 km/h, are legally classified as bicycles. They urge Zagreb and ZET to amend their transport regulations to align with European practices, arguing that such a decision would benefit both citizens and Sljeme's tourism offerings.