Every man for himself
Transport and Urban Planning Associate Professor at the National Technical University of Athens Thanos Vlastos said: «In Greece no policy has been put forward to reduce car use. No mention was made of bicycles in the parties’ election campaigns.» Vlastos has taken up the cause of bicycles more than anyone else in Greece. «Greek cities by nature provide solutions for society but are in fact the result of panic solutions made by individuals. Illegal housing is rampant and the resulting urban sprawl has no social infrastructure or regulations… it is every man for himself.» He explained, «Bicycles are the main form of individual transport but must be incorporated in an organized transport system that will protect them from the barbaric nature of cars, just like pedestrians.» Indeed, he believes there is a link between the recent fires and the downgrading of the urban environment. The fact that there are so few visitors to Greek cities is an indication of the quality of city life that prevails. «The burnt forests are the result of an indifferent society that continues to be so. Here in Greece we make fun of the Europeans but Europe has taken bikes seriously and has understood their significance. We are offered funding to make cycling lanes but we are incapable of absorbing funds such as those provided by the EU to become part of EuroVelo, a European-wide network of cycling lanes. As for cycling tourism, we act as if we don’t understand and yet we are a tourist destination. The announcement by the tourism minister to make cycling lanes from Faliron to Vouliagmeni have come to nothing. If we decide to do something for the environment, the bicycle must feature on the list of issues to be discussed.»
