The famous “Pony”, better known as the “ponika,” was one of the first means of transportation for generations who grew up during the 1970s and 1980s. This bicycle was produced at the Rog factory in Slovenia under an Italian license, and later also at UNIS in Sarajevo. The UNIS model differed in that it had a special mechanism allowing the bicycle to be split into two parts.
Recognizable for its relatively small wheels and a frame designed so the rider sat comfortably upright, it was an excellent choice for city riding. Younger owners usually decorated their beloved bikes with adhesive tape, tassels, and reflectors to make them look as unique as possible. The Pony also came with a small tool bag, a dynamo, a light, and a bell.
Interestingly, older models of this bicycle did not have a rear brake. Instead, they used a “coaster brake” system — braking was done by pedaling backward, producing an effect similar to pulling the handbrake in a car. This was great fun for kids, who loved to “sign their names,” or make skid marks on the pavement, often shredding the rear tires of their “hell machines.”
Because of its affordable price and practical size, the Pony was the ultimate reward for excellent grades in school, which made it almost impossible to buy one at the end of the school year.
Over time, other bicycles took over the market and the “ponika” fell into obscurity until 2016, when it was announced that the factory Gor Kolesa, in cooperation with Gorenje, would begin producing new electric-powered models. However, the excitement among nostalgic fans did not last long once it became clear that the price of this beauty — assembled from parts imported from China — ranged between 329 and 789 euros. The manufacturers soon gave up on large-scale production, reducing it to a minimum.
Although the future of this bicycle’s production remains uncertain for now, one thing is certain: the “ponika” still has a huge number of admirers and true fans who have for several years organized a race in Kranjska Gora, where riders climb an 801-meter elevation gain over a 13.5 km route with a 10.8% incline using this little city bike.
