Rethymno awarded with the ‘BikeFriendly’ label

Rethymno was awarded the “BikeFriendly” label (Bike-Friendly City) by NatTour and the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, following coordinated efforts by the Tourism and Planning Departments of the Municipality of Rethymno.

This distinction, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, has been awarded since 2017 to municipalities-destinations that meet a series of criteria for serving cycling enthusiasts (bike routes, bike lanes, cycling activities, continuous updates in print and digital media, participation in relevant exhibitions and workshops, parking spaces, road signs for bicycles, a bike rental system overseen by the Municipality, maps and brochures, etc.). This creates a “cycling identity” for the destination, encouraging residents and visitors to use bicycles in their daily life or during their vacations.

Over the past decade, the Municipality of Rethymno has made significant investments in Sustainable Mobility through both the Planning Department and the European CIVITAS Destinations program, as well as the Tourism Department, which promotes all actions related to sustainable development, accessibility, and alternative tourism in Greece and abroad, with a particular emphasis on Cycling Tourism.

The main benefits of the “BikeFriendly” certification include enriching the Municipality’s tourism product, positioning it in both the Greek and international markets by tapping into additional segments of demand in Alternative-Thematic Tourism, significant publicity (direct updates sent to 1,100 journalists, 4,000 international travel agencies, cycling clubs, hoteliers, etc.), meetings, workshops, and participation in exhibitions as a co-exhibitor of “BikeFriendly,” as well as digital promotion across all media focused on Sustainable and Alternative Tourism.

Ms. Vicky Karantzavelou, Director and Head of Public Relations at NatTour (the Certification Manager for the “BikeFriendly” label), stated, “We welcome the Municipality of Rethymno, which has recently been certified as a bike-friendly city, and we will support all actions and events that aim to promote bicycle use as an environmentally friendly means of transport for both residents and tourists.”

According to Ms. Pepi Biriraki, Deputy Mayor of Rethymno, “The distinction with the ‘BikeFriendly’ label is an additional utilization of our Municipality’s dedication to Sustainable Mobility and its benefits for both residents and visitors. It opens up new prospects for Cycling Tourism, which is valuable due to its seasonality during the low season, and for the continued creation, utilization, and improvement of infrastructure by both the public and private sectors (such as the hotel network for Cycling Tourism, etc.).

We would like to warmly thank everyone who worked for this distinction and all those who actively support it. We hope that the results of this effort by our Municipality will soon benefit the entire community.”

The official presentation of the certification will take place during a special event once health protocols permit.