Awarding of the “Bike Friendly Destination” Label to the Municipality of Rethymno

The Bike Friendly Destination label was awarded by Ms. Vicky Karantzavelou, General Director of NatTour, to the Mayor of Rethymno, Mr. Giorgos Marinakis, on Saturday, October 30.

The award took place during the national cycling competitions (Panhellenic Championship Short Track & Eliminator) held in the city of Rethymno, organized by the local cycling club PAS “Atlas,” under the auspices of the Hellenic Cycling Federation and with the support of the Regional Unit of Rethymno and the Municipality of Rethymno.

At a press conference held at the “House of Culture” in Rethymno, Ms. Pepi Birliaraki, Deputy Mayor for Tourism, Entrepreneurship, and Volunteering of Rethymno, stated that this certification “means a lot for the future” and added: “We are delighted that, in the context of such a large event, we are incorporating the certification of the Municipality of Rethymno as a bike-friendly city. This certification will open the door to similar future actions and provide prospects for the future. Since 2007, the Municipality of Rethymno has been on the path toward sustainable mobility, sustainable development, and cycling education for both young and old. In this context, we have joined European programs through our municipal planning team, and the entire municipal team has worked for both tourism and the daily life of our citizens towards a friendly, green, and sustainable mobility. Receiving this certification as a bike-friendly tourism destination is yet another tangible confirmation of our efforts to date, as the criteria for becoming a bike-friendly municipality are quite strict.”

Ms. Birliaraki also mentioned the opportunities for promoting cycling tourism in the wider area of Rethymno: “The municipality has over 15 km of cycling paths within the city and over 100 km in the villages and hinterland. A cycling tourist can visit the most beautiful and significant points, receive information about their location and nearby tourist attractions. These include villages with local residents, monasteries, old wine presses, vineyards, and centuries-old olive groves. Many such features can be found at cyclist information points, where tourists can come with their companions, family, and friends to Rethymno, Crete, and find the appropriate infrastructure at their hotel to accommodate their bicycle—a significant concern for cyclists—and enjoy a city where they can move safely and pleasantly. They can visit museums, monuments, and the beauties of the city by bike, as well as explore the rich hinterland.”

Ms. Karantzavelou, General Director of NatTour, expressed that: “Our vision is for cycling to become a part of the lives of Greeks, not just our foreign tourists. Since it is already a part of our tourists’ lives, why shouldn’t they also enjoy all these beauties of Greece by bike? We collaborate with the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, which certifies Blue Flags on beaches and Green Key labels, so we have strong environmental awareness. We believe that cycling is a soft form of mobility that can be beautiful not only for tourists but also for the citizens of a city.” Ms. Karantzavelou also congratulated the Municipality of Rethymno for its efforts in obtaining the Bike Friendly Destination certification, noting that it is “one of the first municipalities to be certified.” She added, “There are currently six certified municipalities in Greece, and as more municipalities join, a network will be created to allow collaboration. It is very important for cooperation among municipalities in Greece, so they can exchange experiences and tourists can visit all the bike-friendly municipalities and enjoy the beauties of our country. The trend of bike use among visitors has new development prospects because it offers experiences to the visitor. When a tourist moves by bike, not only do they help the environment, but they also experience it more intimately since they move gently—not on a motorbike or in a car where they travel quickly. Every business or spot a cyclist passes by can offer an experience to the visitor. They will stop at small restaurants, visit tourist businesses, and points of interest, enjoying experiences instead of being confined to large hotels. They will engage with the local area.”

The press conference was also attended by Mr. Savvas Tsopourogou, Treasurer of the Hellenic Cycling Federation, and Mr. Michalis Tatarakis, President of PAS “Atlas,” who spoke about the importance of cycling, the races in Rethymno, and the efforts of the local cycling club Atlas.