Boris Bikes in Banja Luka

Many cities and towns across Europe and beyond, have implemented projects to relieve traffic congestion based on "pick up and drop' bicycle hire schemes.

In my birth city of London, back in 2010, blue bikes were launched from a number of "hire points".

Called "Boris Bikes" after the then mayor of London, Boris Johnson, the blue colour came as part of the initial sponsorship of Barclays Bank.

Earlier this week a hire point for cycles has been installed opposite the main church in the centre of Banja Luka.

How successful the scheme will be has yet to be seen, but other cities across the country and the wider Western Balkans have had very positive responses.

Personally I see it as another innovative step by the cities proactive mayor.