Athens, December 1 – The Municipality of Athens is moving forward with an ambitious plan to establish a 17.3-kilometer neighbourhood cycle network, with implementation targeted for 2026. This initiative aims to create a safe and connected cycling infrastructure across several key areas of the city.
Funding Secured, Studies Completed
The project, hailed as the most advanced bike-lane initiative in Athens’ history, has secured crucial funding through the Integrated Spatial Investments (OCHE) program. Detailed studies for the network have been completed, paving the way for the next phases of development.
Nikos Chrysogelos, Deputy Mayor for Climate Governance and Social Economy, emphasized the project’s readiness: “Financing is locked in through the Integrated Spatial Investments programme (OCHE), the studies are ready, and we’re about to launch consultations with local communities. Once those are complete, only final approvals from the decentralised administration remain.”
Key Neighbourhoods to Benefit
The new cycle paths will prioritize quieter residential streets, ensuring safe routes to essential urban facilities such as schools, metro stations, parks, and squares. The planned routes will traverse numerous neighbourhoods, including:
- Sepolia: Antigonis, Filippoupoleos, Agios Meletios
- Kypseli: Sporades, Zakynthos, Argostoli, Evelpidon
- Gyzi: Valtinon, Moustoxydi, Koumanoudi, Lytra, Momferatou, Lombardou
- Exarchia: Ippokratous, Charilaou Trikoupi, Arachovis, Themistokleous, Dervenion, Stournari
- Victoria area: Makedonias, Michail Voda
- City centre & Kolonaki: Solonos, Massalias pedestrian street, Sekeri, Kanari, Filikis Eterias Square, Koumbari, Herodou Attikou, Vas. Georgiou B’
- Petralona: Akamantos, Troias, Dimofon, Dorion, Alopon, Alkiminis
Beyond Painted Lanes: Comprehensive Enhancements
The project extends beyond merely marking lanes on the road. It incorporates a range of features designed to enhance the cycling experience and promote sustainable urban mobility:
- 112 secure bike-parking hubs: These facilities will offer capacity for approximately 2,000 bicycles, addressing a critical need for safe storage.
- Sidewalk repairs: Infrastructure improvements will ensure smoother and safer pathways for both cyclists and pedestrians.
- Extensive new tree planting: This initiative will provide much-needed shade along the routes, improving comfort for users and contributing to urban greening efforts.
- Incentives and relocation plans: Measures will be implemented to free up on-street car parking, creating more space for cycling infrastructure and reducing congestion.
Chrysogelos highlighted the project’s primary beneficiaries: “Every day we hear from residents who would love to swap their car for a bike but are terrified of the traffic. This network is built first and foremost for them – not just for the cyclists who are already brave enough to ride today.”
Addressing the Broader City Network
While the 17.3 km network focuses on selected neighbourhoods, the wider city will eventually be served by the long-awaited Metropolitan Cycle Path. This larger project includes the Northern Axis (Gazi → Kifissia via the historic centre), which has been stalled for years despite a partial delivery of the Southern Axis (Gazi → Faliro) in 2015. The Attica Region is currently finalizing its studies for the Northern section, with construction anticipated to commence soon.
For the first time in over a decade, Athens is on the cusp of establishing a genuinely usable city-wide bike network. If the current schedule holds, 2026 could mark a pivotal year in the city’s transformation into a truly bike-friendly urban environment.
Source: https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/12/01/cycle-paths-athens-neighbourhoods-2026/
