Iden Petraj

Bike Mayor at City of Tirana, Albania🚲 Environmentalist | I believe in turning ideas into reality

[Iden Petraj @IPetraj]

Tirana Women's Freedom Ride, March 8: We cycled for shared roads, safety, and equity. 🚲💚 #International_Womens_Day

[Bikademy @bikademy]

Meet @IPetraj, the #Bicycle Mayor of #Tirana, and discover how she's transforming #Albania's capital into a greener, #bike-friendly city! 🌿

Read how Tirana pedals toward sustainability and healthier communities: 👉https://t.co/64mFsl6XGi

#SustainableCities #CyclingCommunity

[Iden Petraj @IPetraj]

@bikademy Thank you!! 🫶🏻

[Iden Petraj @IPetraj]

🚲 Can cargo bikes transform last-mile delivery in Tirana?

Join us on March 29, 2025, at Destil Creative Hub for the first conference on cargo bikes & urban logistics.

📍 Organized by Active Mobility & CEI.

Register now: https://t.co/KvV3TUgtpT

[Erion Veliaj #MedCapitalCulture2025 🇪🇺🇦🇱 @erionveliaj]

🔴⚪ Vijojmë punën për një qytet më të sigurt!

Te kryqëzimi i rrugës 📍 “Bardhyl” me “Kongresi i Manastirit”, kemi rifreskuar vendkalimin e këmbësorëve, vijën e stopit dhe shigjetat orientuese, që çdo kalimtar dhe drejtues mjeti të ketë sinjalistikë të qartë. ✅🚶‍♂️🚗

[Iden Petraj @IPetraj]

Tirana has the only Bicycle School in the Balkans, where more than 4000 children have been trained to ride safely and confidently. A big step for the future of cycling in the city! Love this city 🫶🏻 #tirana

[Erion Veliaj #MedCapitalCulture2025 🇪🇺🇦🇱 @erionveliaj]

Në Shkollën e Biçikletave 🚴🏻‍♀️, fëmijët mësojnë jo vetëm si të pedalojnë me siguri 🦺, por edhe si të bëhen qytetarë të përgjegjshëm në rrugë. 🥰

[Erion Veliaj #MedCapitalCulture2025 🇪🇺🇦🇱 @erionveliaj]

Vogëlushët e kopshtit “Lodrojmë” po mësojnë për natyrën 🌿, duke u argëtuar ndërkohë që mbjellin lulen e tyre të parë 🌸. Një ditë plot buzëqeshje dhe mësime të bukura! 🥰✨

[Erion Veliaj #MedCapitalCulture2025 🇪🇺🇦🇱 @erionveliaj]

Parku Rinia, një oaz gjelbërimi në zemër të Tiranës! ☀️🌳

[Sreecharan 🇵🇸🍉 @gsreecharan]

@fossiltreaty @pedestrianspace @HYDTP @HYDTrafficMan @Team_Road_Squad via @IPetraj @BYCS_org @BYCSIndia

[Erion Veliaj #MedCapitalCulture2025 🇪🇺🇦🇱 @erionveliaj]

Festat filluan me kreativitet dhe energji te Shkolla e Biçikletave! 🚴🏻✨ Nga përrallat magjike të Krishtlindjes, te kartolinat plot ngjyra dhe pedalime, çdo moment ishte një festë e paharrueshme! 🎄🎨

[Iden Petraj @IPetraj]

Thank you to International School @KingsTirana for the appreciation letter! Together with the Municipality of Tirana’s Department of Transportation, we shared our knowledge about bicycle infrastructure. After a bike tour showing the new bike lanes and promoting safety, we’re happy to see at least four students encouraged to start cycling!

[Iden Petraj @IPetraj]

According to the European Commission’s “Quality of Life in European Cities 2023” survey, over 10% of Tirana’s residents now cycle daily, more than double the 4% recorded in 2021. Tirana is leading the Balkans with a fresh vision for mobility, proving that change is not only possible, it’s happening. 🤘🏻🚲

[Gil Penalosa @Penalosa_G]

Most cities fight to get a minimum network of protected bikelanes.
Tirana did it, but most riders are older, men.
Why? Young people say 'cycling is symbol of old communist era'. Cars: gigantic status symbol.
Each city is different.
Urgent to make cycling cool in Tirana, for all.

[Erion Veliaj #MedCapitalCulture2025 🇪🇺🇦🇱 @erionveliaj]

Në Forumin Urban të Tiranës, i cili mblodhi bashkë kryetarët e bashkive të 🅱️4️⃣0️⃣, rrjetit më të madh të bashkive në Ballkan, si dhe drejtues e përfaqësues vendorë të vendeve anëtare 🤝🏻, për të diskutuar mbi mënyrat e bërjes së qyteteve sa më të jetueshme për qytetarët. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒🥰

[Iden Petraj @IPetraj]

Cyclists recognizing cyclists! At the Tirana Urban Forum with @FionaMcCluney, the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania. With over 30 years of experience as an urban planner and development practitioner, including 12 years with the UN system, Fiona has been a dedicated advocate for sustainable urban development and active mobility. Let’s see more women in cycling, together, we can bring the change! 💚🚲💪🏻

[Gil Penalosa @Penalosa_G]

Had a wonderful visit to new projects in Tirana, Albania. As mayor jokingly says, 'used to be the North Korea of Europe.' Transformed!
When I began advising 9 yrs ago, there were 2 kilometers of bikelanes; now city interconnected, except far suburbs. Not perfect, but CONNECTED!

[Iden Petraj @IPetraj]

During our bike ride around Tirana, I had the chance to highlight the major investments the city has made in parks and public spaces for all generations. Tirana isn’t perfect, but it holds a special place for all of us. Step by step, it continues to improve every day. I still remember my childhood and the challenges the city faced around 2000, and it’s amazing to see how much it has transformed in such a short time. Who could have imagined?

[Gil Penalosa @Penalosa_G]

Parks are for PEOPLE.
You evaluate how good parks are if people go, stay, return; not about architectural awards.
Cities need park systems: neighborhood, city, passive, active, contemplative.
AAA: All Ages & Abilities.
Everyone should have a park within a short walk.

[Iden Petraj @IPetraj]

Tirana, the heart of us all!! 💚

[Gil Penalosa @Penalosa_G]

NOT magic.
Parks & sidewalks in Tirana are so clean. On my morning run I saw magnificent people under slight rain raking leaves, garbage, cigarette butts (yes!!!).

Grateful to all front line workers who put much work & lots of love for all to enjoy our public spaces. Everywhere.

[Gil Penalosa @Penalosa_G]

Tirana could be a world class cycling city:
• Perfect weather all year, over 250 days with sun, never too cold or hot
• Flat as a table
• Short distances
Iden @IPetraj its Bicycle Mayor has the ear of mayor @ErionVeliaj, Council, staff, advocates... building more!

[Iden Petraj @IPetraj]

Engaging exchange with @Penalosa_G on Tirana’s ongoing investments in cycling infrastructure, parks, bicycle schools and school streets, reflecting the municipality’s focus on sustainable and forward-thinking urban development. See you at Tirana Urban Forum on Friday! 🙌🏻