Throughout Greece - which was observing the European Car-free Day for the first time under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works - the day was celebrated with concerts, bike races, contests and other games and festivities. In the meantime, forward-pedalling government officials reiterated their commitment to create more livable cities and promised more car-free days in the future. The central wide-open streets gave citizens a sense of freedom most had long forgotten and many, kids and adults alike, took advantage of the day to pedal around on their bikes.
Free ride
In Athens, cars were forbidden from entering the citys commercial centre and the popular neighbourhoods of Psyrri and Plaka at the foot of the Acropolis. The welcome difference was felt in many usually congested central streets, but the truth of the matter is that many of the capital's streets leading to the banned centre witnessed huge traffic jams, proving once again the average Greek's addiction to his car.
Another 21 municipalities of the Attica Prefecture also delineated special car-free zones. All public transport was free for the day, and two metro wagons were reserved so that riders could bring their bikes into the city. Those who did not own a bike, could borrow one, in exchange for their I.D. cards at Dimarcheiou Square, which was hosting kids displaying their biking skills on a special track set up for that purpose. Meanwhile, more than a hundred bikers had set off from the National Archaeological Museum, bound for Klathmonos Square, where they joined up with Parliamentary vice-president Panagiotis Sgourides and rode on to Parliament.
Many politicians and government officials also lent their public faces to the initiative: they were spotted walking, bicycling and riding on trains and buses during the course of the day. Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Minister of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works, Costas Laliotis, and Transport and Communications Minister, Christos Verelis, met up via metro in the suburb of Neo Psychico, where they were greeted by children on wheels. In his subsequent speech, Simitis stressed the need to limit the role of automobiles, noting that their overuse degrades living standards rather than improving them. Following that, about a thousand young and old bicyclists hit the streets of Athens, led by the town's cycling mayor, Dimitris Avramopoulos.
Celebrations in Athens peaked in the evening with an open-air concert in Klathmonos Square, featuring music icon and personality Dionysis Savvopoulos, the Symphonic Orchestra of Athens and pop songwriters Dionyssis Tsaknis and Lavrendis Maheritsas
Fast ride
Despite the congestion in surrounding streets, caused by inveterate car addicts, the ban resulted in marked reductions in commuters travelling time. The Athens Urban Transport Association (OASA) reported a 20% increase in mean speeds of public transport vehicles. For trolleys, the mean speeds rose from 12 to 20 km/h, thanks to the unclogged streets. Use of commuter services was also up 20%.
Around the country
In the city of Larissa, central Greece, 700 brand new bikes were distributed to lucky citizens chosen by lottery. The city had been the first to jump onto the car-free bandwagon and succeeded in limiting traffic in the entire city to taxis and buses. The island of Crete also gave a big thumbs-up to the day, with seven cities participating, including Iraklio, Chania and Rethymno. And in an unusual twist on the day's theme, some students in the city of Volos took an even more old-fashioned route, trotting to school on horses.
