The June 3 has been established by the UN as the World Bicycle Day. In 2018, the UN member states recognized the importance of using bicycles as a mean of transportation which offers multiple health benefits, but most importantly, promotes sustainable urban mobility.

This day was an important occasion to talk with the founder of mbike.gr and director of development of the NGO “Cities for Cycling”, Spyros Papageorgiou about the importance of  bicycles in the city and the challenges that cyclists are called to face when moving in large urban cities.

-The reasons why it is important to celebrate World Bicycle Day?

Is the bicycle a different way of transportation. It is a way of athleticism  and recreation which at the same time is also an economical and environmentally friendly mean of transportation. It is one of the three pillars of sustainable mobility and at the same time contributes to the improvement of quality of life and safety in modern cities.

For all the above reasons, the UN considered that it was important to acknowledge its contribution to society and announce the World Bicycle Day.

-What are the main problems due to which, someone does not use the bicycle in the city?

In every city around the world, there are two main problems for which someone may be reluctant to use a bicycle for their short distant transportation: road safety and parking.

For the first problem, the truth is that there is a need of infrastructure. Because, the most experienced riders may be able to move around the city easily, but those who do not have the experience with cycling and just prefer it as a practical method of transportation,  these riders need traffic lanes to clearly separated from cars.

The second problem, is the need to park the bike somewhere near your destination, for as long as you need until you conclude your work. The thought that bicycle parking should be near the subway stations is incorrect. Not many users will “abandon” their bike outside a Metro station in order to commute to their work with the subway. This is not the profile of a bike user.

Instead, they need easy and safe parking areas, near places such as supermarkets and central stores, banks, public services and coffeeshops. Bikers need a safe and controlled parking area in their city or neighborhood.

-How can a bicycle user deal with the above problems?

If a bicyclist lives in a city without infrastructure, such as Athens, he or she should first think more ” as a cyclist” and not as a car user. Choosing minor roads with low traffic. Using routes “parallel” to the central axes, taking advantage of the security provided by the neighborhood environment.

Regarding parking, car parks can provide a wonderful and immediate solution and encourage citizens to choose their bicycles as a mean of transportation by providing bicycle parking services.

I’m glad that Cityzen is the first company in Greece – and one of the first in Europe as far as I know – that quickly “grabbed the opportunity” regarding this need and gave a solution. Having a secure bicycle parking space in existing parking areas is a simple thing but at the same time an effective and efficient idea.

-Exactly! Cityzen Parking & Services’ vision for sustainable mobility in the city also includes bicycles. We are interested in combining many forms of environmentally friendly  methods with the Cityzen parking areas being the starting point for green transportation routes.

In my opinion, it emphasizes another dimension of the issue: that cars and bicycles are not “competitors”. They are two different means of transportation that coexist and serve different needs. Everyone can choose the method that suits them best and what better way than to choose the same parking for both of your needs!

A few words about our bicycle parking service.

The specially designed spaces in the parking areas offer you the ultimate protection and support of your favorite method of transportation to enjoy it whenever you want.

Find today a safe and comfortable parking space for your bike,  only at 5 € a month!

Available at the below parking areas:

Cityzen “Emmanouil Benaki”: 10 Emm. Benaki str., Athens City Center

Cityzen Maroussi ”Aithrio”: 40 Ag. Konstantinou str., Maroussi

Cityzen Maroussi ”Fragokklisias”: 2 Fragokklisias str., Maroussi

Cityzen Ilisia ”Michalakopoulou”: Michalakopoulou & Dimitressa 12 str., Ilisia

”Hilton Athens”: 2 – 4 Konstantinou Ventiri str., Athens

Cityzen Village Shopping & More: Thivon Ave & Parnassou str. 228, Rentis