Burgas environmental agency marks Mobility Week with bike routes to the lakes
25.09.2026
Burgas' regional environment agency (RIOSV) added bike routes to the Burgas lakes, a new footpath outside a kindergarten and a talk for people with special needs to this year's European Mobility Week.
Снимка: РИОСВ – Бургас
Burgas asks residents to skip the car and go green around its lakes
The Burgas regional environment inspectorate (RIOSV-Burgas) has launched an online challenge called "Move green around the Burgas lakes" for European Mobility Week. It's asking people to visit Atanasovsko Lake, Burgas Lake (Vaya) and the Mandra reservoir without a car — on foot, by bike or by public transport.
The three sites sit within the protected areas of Poda, Uzungeren and the mouth of the Izvorska river. The bike paths running along them let people cycle and watch birds at the same time, right on the edge of the city. The inspectorate suggests heading out early for sunrise or late for sunset, when birds are most active. Photos from the walks will go up on the inspectorate's website and Facebook page, and organisers hope mostly students and teachers will take part.
To help people find their way, the inspectorate has mapped out two routes on Google Maps. One starts in Burgas, passes through Poda, Uzungeren and Mandra, then loops back to Burgas. The other circles Atanasovsko Lake. Links to both maps are on the inspectorate's website.
Part of the route runs through protected land, so the inspectorate has some rules: walk quietly along the lake, stay on the marked path, and don't step into the reserve itself. It's illegal to kill, catch, chase or disturb animals, or to damage plants. No fires, no camping and no littering near the lake.
Walkers are told to skip bright clothing, wear closed shoes and long trousers, and check themselves for ticks afterward. Sound, light or mechanical devices that attract birds or other animals aren't allowed. Anyone who finds an injured, distressed or dead animal, or spots poaching or other harm to nature, should report it right away — either by calling 112 or the inspectorate's own hotline, 056/813212.
Beyond the online challenge, the Burgas inspectorate is also taking part in several events on the ground. On 15 September 2026, together with Burgas municipality and the regional police (ODMVR-Burgas), it opened a new interactive pedestrian crossing outside the "Valshebstvo" kindergarten. Children from the kindergarten handed out balloons to drivers waiting at the crossing — a small gesture for road safety. The inspectorate points out that everyone — children, young people and adults alike — faces different obstacles getting around, depending on their needs and abilities.
On 21 September 2026, at the bird-watching hide by Atanasovsko Lake, the inspectorate held a talk for people with special needs from the Burgas-based Social Center Association. The aim was to spark interest in and love for nature, and give everyone equal access to the area's rich birdlife.
That same day, the inspectorate hosted fourth-year students from the ecology and environmental protection department at Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov University, along with their lecturer, senior assistant Dr. Stela Naydenova. Together they ran a field session on ornithology and a talk on Atanasovsko Lake.
The Burgas inspectorate says this year's campaign is about fairness between generations — the idea that transport should be open to everyone, whatever their income, where they live, their gender or their abilities. European Mobility Week promotes transport that works for every age group and meets both today's needs and tomorrow's. When generations share skills and work together, getting around can become easier for everyone.
The inspectorate is urging people to choose alternative transport more often and leave the car at home, to cut harmful emissions and noise in the city. ★Add BurgasMedia to your preferred sources on Google→