Greek Ministries Team Up to Form National Cycling Strategy

Photo source: Visit Greece

The Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation has established an interministerial working group to develop a national cycling action plan aimed at promoting cycling as a mode of transport, a form of exercise, and a tool for sustainable development.

The initiative brings together the ministries of Transport, Interior, Education, Environment, and Tourism, alongside the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE) and the Association of Greek Regions (ENPE).

This effort is part of a broader collaboration between the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Tourism, KEDE, and the non-governmental organization (NGO) “Cities for Cycling”. The new action plan will build upon previous initiatives to enhance cycling infrastructure and improve cyclist safety across Greece.

First meeting sets the stage for policy development

Photo source: Transport Ministry

The working group held its first meeting on February 5, led by Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transportation Vassilis Oikonomou.

The meeting primarily focused on proposals from local mayors in the Region of Attica aimed at fostering a cycling culture in their communities.

“The formation of this working group and our first meeting mark an important step toward creating a modern and safe cycling network,” said Deputy Minister Oikonomou. “Our goal is to improve quality of life and promote cycling as a sustainable mode of transport and exercise.”

Key participants and future steps

The meeting was attended by Yiannis Vroutsis, Deputy Minister for Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports; Efthimios Bakogiannis, General Secretary for Spatial Planning and Urban Environments at the Ministry of Environment and Energy; Vasiliki Millousi, Deputy Prefect for Sports in the Region of Attica Grigoris Konstantellos, Vice President of KEDE; and Dimitris Kafantaris, General Secretary of KEDE.

Additionally, representatives from various cycling advocacy organizations and Spyros Papageorgiou, General Director of the NGO “Cities for Cycling”, participated in discussions.

The national cycling action plan is expected to lay the groundwork for an improved cycling network, with policies that encourage sustainable urban mobility while prioritizing cyclist safety.