Powers to be given to Municipalities to create temporary cycle lanes and pedestrianised areas
Environment Ministry
18 May 2020
/ 13:14
ATHENS. Municipal Quality of Life Committees will be given the authority to turn streets into temporary pedestrian areas and cycle lanes in the amendment being presented to Parliament by the Ministry of Energy and Environment.
In the amendment being presented to Parliament by the Ministry of Energy and Environment on Monday 18 May, will be included speedy procedures to create temporary cycle lanes and pedestrianised areas.
This proposal follows the example of several European towns and was put together by the Deputy Ministry and General Secretary for Planning & Urban Environment Dimitris Economou and Efthymios Bakoyiannis. It provides for the following:
Municipal Quality of Life Committees can do the following:
1. Create temporary pedestrianised areas.
2. Create temporary cycle lanes.
3. Repurpose local streets which have a lot of pedestrian traffic and catering establishments as pedestrian precincts in order to ensure that there is enough space for extended areas with tables and chairs and passage for pedestrians including those with special needs.
4. Create 'low-traffic areas' in local streets and residential areas.
The Ministry of Energy & Environment has already drawn up an implementation guide for these regulations which will be sent to Municipalities. This will include good practices from other countries and will provide guidelines for: road diets, creation of temporary cycle lanes, ensuring accessibility, creating temporary extensions of pedestrian precincts and pedestrian lanes.
It will also include design proposals for temporary extensions of pedestrianised areas to include additional tables and chairs in squares, public areas and pedestrian precencts.
The Minister for Energy & Environment Kostis Hatzidakis made the following statement:
"Our proposal to create temporary cycle lanes and pedestrianised areas follows the example of several European towns and is yet another weapon against the spread of coronavirus. In this way we can limit crowded traffic. It is also encouraging the use of the bicycle, which is the most environmentally-friendly form of transport.
These are temporary measures but I am certain that they will lead the way to permanent measures. Our towns need more space for pedestrians and cyclists."
This proposal follows the example of several European towns and was put together by the Deputy Ministry and General Secretary for Planning & Urban Environment Dimitris Economou and Efthymios Bakoyiannis. It provides for the following:
Municipal Quality of Life Committees can do the following:
1. Create temporary pedestrianised areas.
2. Create temporary cycle lanes.
3. Repurpose local streets which have a lot of pedestrian traffic and catering establishments as pedestrian precincts in order to ensure that there is enough space for extended areas with tables and chairs and passage for pedestrians including those with special needs.
4. Create 'low-traffic areas' in local streets and residential areas.
The Ministry of Energy & Environment has already drawn up an implementation guide for these regulations which will be sent to Municipalities. This will include good practices from other countries and will provide guidelines for: road diets, creation of temporary cycle lanes, ensuring accessibility, creating temporary extensions of pedestrian precincts and pedestrian lanes.
It will also include design proposals for temporary extensions of pedestrianised areas to include additional tables and chairs in squares, public areas and pedestrian precencts.
The Minister for Energy & Environment Kostis Hatzidakis made the following statement:
"Our proposal to create temporary cycle lanes and pedestrianised areas follows the example of several European towns and is yet another weapon against the spread of coronavirus. In this way we can limit crowded traffic. It is also encouraging the use of the bicycle, which is the most environmentally-friendly form of transport.
These are temporary measures but I am certain that they will lead the way to permanent measures. Our towns need more space for pedestrians and cyclists."
