Despite the plans outlined in Belgrade's General Urban Plan (GUP) to construct 324.17 km of bicycle lanes, the current network comprises approximately 101 km, characterized by fragmentation, uneven distribution, and limited connectivity to green areas and everyday destinations. Although the intention is to build lanes in all city municipalities, they are currently functional in only five urban units. The Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia lacks updated data on cycling traffic, while recommendations for physically separating bike lanes from roads have not been consistently implemented. Air quality, particularly in densely urbanized zones, negatively affects the safety and health of cyclists, especially among vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses. Air pollution, alongside noise, is a major environmental health challenge, and data for 2023 show some improvements, although areas like New Belgrade, Zemun, and Bežanijska Kosa still experience episodes of high pollution. The benefits of cycling-ecological, health-related, and economic-are numerous, yet often overlooked due to exposure to harmful particles and insufficient infrastructure. This raises the question of whether air quality must first be improved to motivate greater use of bicycles, or whether an increased number of cyclists could contribute to reduced pollution. Sustainable development of cycling infrastructure requires coordinated efforts in urban planning, environmental protection, and transportation systems to ensure long-term viability and promote cycling as a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly mode of transport.