The Municipality of Rethymno is offering incentives for choosing bicycles as an alternative means of transportation to both citizens and visitors by co-organizing the "BIKE Friendly DAYS" event with NatTour AMKE from April 26 to April 30, 2022.
BIKE Friendly DAYS in Rethymno, April 26-30
The Municipality of Rethymno is offering incentives for choosing bicycles as an alternative means of transportation to both citizens and visitors by co-organizing the "BIKE Friendly DAYS" event with NatTour AMKE from April 26 to April 30, 2022.
Taking advantage of the timing of the significant event “DEI International Cycling Tour of Greece,” which starts from Crete, and the distinction of being one of the first municipalities in the country certified with the “BIKE Friendly Destination” label, the Municipality of Rethymno is pioneering by establishing dedicated days for cycling. This initiative supports its strategic plan for sustainable mobility, environmental protection, energy saving, and the promotion of sports tourism.
Ms. Vicky Karantzavelou, General Director of NatTour AMKE, and Mr. Giorgis Marinakis, Mayor of Rethymno.
The “BIKE Friendly DAYS” program includes activities to educate and inform citizens and visitors about cycling, along with environmental and recreational activities for adults and children, supported by sports clubs and volunteer groups. Some of the activities include:
- Rethymno Volunteers Network (REThelon): Cleaning the route for the athletes participating in the “DEI International Cycling Tour of Greece” and accompanying the Peloton on a bike ride around the city.
- Cycling Club “ATLAS Rethymno”: A display of cycling skills, organized by the Artistic Group “Photography Lessons,” including a bicycle-themed photography exhibition in the Rethymno Municipal Garden.
- Discussion with tourism professionals to raise awareness about certifying their cycling services for tourists in the region.
- Special informative activity by professional drivers in the municipality regarding cyclists’ rights and responsibilities on the road.
- Gastronomic, cultural, and commercial cycling routes that will be announced soon on the municipality’s rethymno.guide and rethymno.gr platforms.
Mayor Giorgis Marinakis speaking via Zoom to journalists outside Crete.
During a press conference on Friday, April 8, 2022, Mayor Giorgis Marinakis, together with Deputy Mayor for Tourism, Entrepreneurship, and Volunteering Pepi Birliaraki, Deputy Mayor for Technical Works and Planning Angelos Malas, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Digital Governance Thomas Krevetzakis, Deputy Mayor for Finance Stelios Spanoudakis, and ATLAS president Michalis Tatarakis, presented the philosophy and program of the five-day Bike Friendly Days. They also discussed the future institutionalization of the event and its goals.
Mr. Marinakis stated: “Rethymno is a city that consistently serves sustainable mobility, investing in sustainable tourism. We’re not just aiming for a new vision but addressing the urgent needs of a challenging era, characterized by environmental issues, climate change, and the overwhelming traffic pressure that many cities face. These cities were designed for a much smaller population than they currently serve. We are organizing this five-day outward-looking event to honor our title as a ‘Bike-Friendly’ city, as well as the awards we’ve received from the European Commission for road safety and investment in sustainable mobility. Congratulations to all who trust and collaborate with us, and special thanks to those working tirelessly to make this an ongoing institution. Rethymno has always been a pioneer.”
Ms. Pepi Birliaraki, Deputy Mayor of Tourism, Entrepreneurship, and Volunteering of Rethymno.
Ms. Birliaraki added: “The Tourism Department and the Committee for Tourism Development and Promotion of the Municipality of Rethymno are committed to developing cycling tourism. For us, cycling tourism is one of the thematic forms of tourism that will help us extend the tourist season, which is our main goal, while also improving the quality of our visitors. Cyclists are drawn to exploring the cultural aspects of our region, which Rethymno has in abundance, making it an attractive destination for visitors interested in both tourism and sports infrastructure combined with natural beauty.”
In the photo (left to right): Michalis Tatarakis (President of ATLAS), Angelos Malas (Deputy Mayor for Technical Works and Planning), Giorgis Marinakis (Mayor of Rethymno), and Pepi Birliaraki (Deputy Mayor for Tourism, Entrepreneurship, and Volunteering).
