Young Cyclist Inspires Community with Daily Journey to Kindergarten

A four-year-old girl, Kalina Maksimovski, has captured the hearts of parents in Podgorica, Montenegro, with her daily bicycle commute to kindergarten. Each morning, she arrives at the kindergarten “Leptirić” on her pink bike equipped with training wheels, a sight that has garnered admiration from other parents facing daily parking challenges.

Kalina’s journey underscores the significance of cultivating healthy lifestyles from an early age and how cycling can enhance children’s physical and cognitive development. Her parents, Aleksandra and Saša Maksimovski, have fully supported her desire to bike to kindergarten, especially when the weather permits.

The family resides a short distance from the kindergarten, but the absence of dedicated bike lanes poses challenges. To navigate safely, they take side streets to avoid traffic, allowing Kalina to enjoy her ride. “We started with shorter rides, gradually increasing the distance as she became more comfortable with cycling near cars and other vehicles,” explains Saša, a professional cameraman.

Kalina’s passion for cycling began two years ago when her parents gifted her and her older sister, Lenka, their first bikes for Christmas. Initially, they rode in parks, but the lack of bike paths and heavy traffic made it complicated for young children. Aleksandra recalls, “We had to organize ourselves as a family to ensure the children could safely enjoy riding their bikes.”

Kalina’s enthusiasm for biking has been met with parental encouragement. “She has a helmet and safety gear, and while she still uses training wheels for added security, she has gained confidence,” Saša adds. “Starting this autumn, she has decided to bike to kindergarten whenever it’s dry.”

The Maksimovski family emphasizes the importance of building responsibility in their children. “Kalina is expected to secure her bike in the parking lot, check the tires, and take care of her bicycle. We teach her to recognize traffic dangers and the significance of a healthy lifestyle,” Saša explains.

Both parents have a background in cycling and aim to instill the same passion in their children. “We rarely use our car for city trips, opting for bikes instead, even for errands,” Aleksandra notes. “We want our children to learn from our experiences and become better versions of ourselves.”

With Kalina excitedly anticipating the day her younger brother Vasil can join her and Lenka on their rides, the family’s dedication to promoting cycling as a viable mode of transport is evident. They advocate for better infrastructure in Podgorica to support families like theirs who wish to cycle.

Saša Maksimovski believes Podgorica is well-suited for alternative transportation modes like cycling and scootering. “The city is compact, and with improved infrastructure, we could encourage more families to cycle. However, there are not enough bike paths in parks or family lanes with multiple tracks,” he states, adding that the city lags behind its European counterparts in this respect.

Aleksandra highlights another pressing issue: the lack of secure parking for bicycles. “Kalina and other children need a safe place to leave their bikes. Currently, we secure it outside the kindergarten, which feels unsafe,” she says.

The couple suggests installing designated bike parking areas, or “cages,” at schools, equipped with surveillance to discourage theft. “These changes require minimal investment but would offer significant benefits to the community,” Saša concludes.

The Maksimovski family’s efforts serve as a reminder of the potential to foster a cycling culture in Podgorica. By promoting safe cycling habits and advocating for improved infrastructure, they hope to inspire other families to embrace this sustainable and healthy mode of transport.