On Sunday morning, central Athens experienced rolling road closures and parking bans for the 29th Athens Cycling Tour. These restrictions started at 6 a.m. and lasted until 1 p.m., impacting traffic around Syntagma Square and nearby downtown streets.
How long did the disruptions last?
Police put traffic controls in place from 6 a.m., using rolling closures as cyclists moved along the route. Parking was banned and major avenues and nearby squares were temporarily blocked until the early afternoon, with access gradually restored by 1 p.m.
Which roads were affected?
The advisory stated that parts of Amalias, Stadiou, Vasilissis Sofias, and Syngrou avenues would be closed for the event. The restrictions also applied to roads leading to Syntagma Square and other streets in the historic center.
Who needed to change plans?
Police recommended that drivers stay away from the city center during the morning while the closures were active.
Why were the roads closed?
The road closures were in place to support the 29th Athens Cycling Tour, an annual city ride with two different routes. The main route was about 16 kilometers long, and a shorter 7-kilometer route was available as an easier option.
Start times and locations
The 16-kilometer ride kicked off at 9:30 a.m. on the lower side of Syntagma Square. The 7-kilometer route started at 11 a.m. in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
When did traffic return to normal?
Officials announced that roads would reopen in phases as the event progressed, with all restrictions lifted by 1 p.m. Drivers were asked to follow instructions from the traffic police on-site.
How did rolling closures operate?
Parts of the route were closed just before cyclists arrived and were reopened once they had passed through. This limited the disruption on each avenue to specific time frames.
Source: https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1284293/traffic-restrictions-in-athens-for-29th-cycling-tour/
