6th “Bike Friendly” Networking Event

Now established as a recurring institutional initiative, the networking event once again provided a valuable platform for dialogue, collaboration among network members, the exchange of best practices, and the presentation of new tools aimed at strengthening cycling tourism in Greece.

The event was coordinated, as in previous editions, by Ms. Vicky Karantzavelou, General Manager of Bike Friendly. In her opening remarks, she highlighted the new collaboration between Bike Friendly and EuroVelo, the European network of long-distance cycling routes. Through this partnership, European cyclists and EuroVelo users can now access the Bike Friendly website via an active link featured in the EuroVelo hub’s presentations of national cycling tourism labels, thereby discovering the Bike Friendly-certified members in Greece, including accommodations, destinations, and cycling service providers.

Following this, Mr. Theodore Koumelis, Communications Director of Bike Friendly, presented the redesigned Bike Friendly website, which offers enhanced user experience and new promotional tools for members—hotels, partners, visitor attractions, and destinations. The new website aspires to become a key reference point for cyclists seeking certified services and cycling routes throughout Greece.

Open Dialogue – Exchange of Knowledge and Experience

The second part of the event focused on an open discussion among members, aimed at identifying challenges, sharing best practices, and exploring proposals for improving cycling services for visitors. Key topics addressed during the dialogue included:

• Best practices from network members: Participants shared innovative strategies for promoting their cycling services, such as the development of tailored amenities for cyclists, the use of printed and digital maps to highlight cycling routes, the integration of combined hiking and cycling trails, the expansion of cycling infrastructure, the demarcation and increase of bike parking areas in public spaces, the development of public bike-sharing systems, and the organization of themed cycling tours in local communities to foster a cycling culture and highlight the natural and cultural assets of each destination.
• Rising demand for electric bikes: A nationwide surge in demand for e-bikes was noted, underscoring the need for destinations and tourism providers to adapt to emerging mobility technologies and the evolving expectations of modern cyclists, families, and riders of all age groups.
• Feedback from international cycling visitors: Testimonies from international cycling tourists were presented, highlighting their appreciation for Greece’s scenic rural landscapes and peaceful cycling routes. Conversely, they expressed concerns over the traffic congestion and lack of comprehensive cycling infrastructure in urban areas, preferring routes outside cities and away from crowded tourist hubs due to reduced motorized vehicle traffic and greater perceived safety.
• Challenges in urban environments: Attendees also discussed the barriers faced by urban cycling companies and micromobility providers, particularly the lack of designated parking or rental spaces for bicycles and the slow implementation of local mobility plans that would otherwise facilitate cycling adoption in cities.

Conclusions – The Bike Friendly Network as a Collaborative Force

The 6th Bike Friendly Networking Event reaffirmed the growing momentum of cycling tourism in Greece and the commitment of network members to fostering a more sustainable and cycle-friendly tourism model.

The consistent organization of networking events, combined with strategic collaborations and the integration of digital tools, strengthens the network’s collective identity and lays the groundwork for delivering a high-quality, safe, and competitive cycling tourism offering.

The Bike Friendly Network continues to operate as a collaborative platform connecting destinations, tourism enterprises, and local tourism organizations, all working toward a shared goal: positioning Greece among the leading cycling tourism destinations in Europe.