Chios Island Receives ‘Bike Friendly’ Certification

Photo source: NatTour

The Greek island of Chios has been certified as a “Bike-friendly Destination” by NatTour, a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable tourism practices.

“This certification highlights Chios as an environmentally friendly destination,” Chios Mayor Stamatis Karmantzis said during a recent event held on the island.

Chios is the eighth municipality in Greece to be recognized as “bike friendly”.

Karmantzis added that the municipal authority will continue to carry out eco friendly actions and initiatives.

On her part, NatTour General Manager Vicky Karatzavelou said the certification would attract even more visitors to Chios and offer them the experience of enjoying the island’s beauties through cycling.

Chios is among Greece’s few islands suitable for cycling due to its size, rich natural and cultural landscape, and variety of routes.

Pyrgi, Chios. Photo Source: Visit Greece

Cycling activities have further developed on Chios in recent years with the contribution of local cycling clubs that organize leisure activities in various locations as well as sports activities and games.

Chios is suitable mainly for three cycling activities:

– amateur cycling (cycling tourism) that includes routes in the urban landscape,

– bicycle racing and

– mountain biking with routes passing through forests, rural areas, mountains and gorges.

Meanwhile, a number of sports activities are organized on Chios every year including “Brevet Chios”, one of Greece’s most significant events for experienced cyclists. Participants cover a 200km route crossing the entire island.

Chios also offers a variety of unorganized routes for mountain biking enthusiasts with routes passing by the areas of Provatas, Nea Moni, Agioi Pateres, Anavatos, Retsinadika, Pelinnaio and many more.