Romania infrastructure: EU-funded bicycle lanes face safety and design criticism

European Union-funded infrastructure projects in Romania are facing scrutiny due to design flaws and regulatory issues. In Baia Mare, over 11 kilometers of new bicycle lanes funded through the PNRR have been criticized for safety concerns. Local residents reported difficulties navigating roundabouts and obstacles like trash cans or poles placed in the path. Additionally, the Romanian Police fined the municipality 4,500 lei for constructing the lanes without the necessary permits, a sanction the local administration intends to contest.

In the commune of Șcheia, Iași county, a 2.4-kilometer bicycle lane costing 120,000 euros has drawn criticism for its lack of utility. While the community lacks basic infrastructure such as paved roads, water, and sewage systems, the new lane runs along unpaved country roads and, in some sections, ends abruptly in a ditch or leads toward local cemeteries. The project, which also included 72,000 lei for consultancy services, has been met with local irony as many residents do not own bicycles.