The little town of Koprivnica is just an hour’s drive from the Croatian capital, Zagreb. While it is better known as the centre of Croatian naïve art, it is also home to a quirky open air bicycle museum. 

Koprivnica prides itself as a cyclist’s town; I saw a number of cycles parked lazily near cafes, and even more being raced across the main park and on the town streets. And in an effort to preserve and further promote this tradition, the Old Timer Club Biciklin of Koprivnica came up with the novel idea of an open air bicycle museum. They aim to promote cycling, through this prominent display, not just as a recreational activity but as an effective means of modern, green transportation. 

The display titled “From Leonardo da Vinci till Today” includes replicas of seven models (and one artistic monument), each from a different era. As the title suggests, this display aims to trace the journey of the humble cycle from the times (and designs) of Leonardo da Vinci to its modern avatar. 

The replicas stand on plots close to the town’s main square. They follow what used to be a popular cycling route in the 1950s. Where once cyclists raced one another frantically, today visitors amble along, with camera in hand. 

Not only is this a great initiative to a cleaner and healthier way of life, this quirky display also ensures tourists make their way around the town, taking in sites they may otherwise have skipped.