Greece Draws Up Strategy to Increase Bicycle Use

The Greek Environment and Energy Ministry has drafted a strategy based on international best practices to increase the use of bicycles in the country.

“For the first time in Greece, a national strategy has been drawn up for the development of bicycle use,” the ministry said in an announcement.

According to ministry, the new strategy aims to strengthen the use of the bicycle – which is “a key pillar of sustainable mobility along with public transport and walking” – in order to improve the health of citizens, reduce air pollution and noise, and promote the qualitative characteristics of the public spaces in Greek cities.

More specifically, the “National Bicycle Strategy” aims to:

• Increase the use of bicycles for the movement of citizens by 2030.
• Increase bicycle movement in combination with other means of transport.
• Integrate bicycle sharing systems in the transport system of Greek cities.
• Promote the use of bicycles to transport light goods over short distances.
• Boost cycling tourism.
• Promote the bicycle as a suitable economic means for daily transportation, for sports and leisure.
• Increase bicycle use to tackle climate change.
• Provide incentives and support know-how to increase bicycle use in the public and private sectors.

Cycling in Plato’s Academy Park in Athens. Photo source: Visit greece / Y. Skoulas

It is noted that Greece’s new bicycle strategy is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the policies of the World Health Organization (WHO), the recent EU environmental and climate change guidelines, and the guidelines of the European Transport Safety Council.

The “National Strategy for Bicycles” for the 2020 – 2030 period has been submitted to the relevant ministries for consultation. It will then open for public consultation with all stakeholders and citizens.