Through the “Cycling through History and Art” programme, custom-designed, secure bicycle parking spaces are being installed to create the first network of bicycle-friendly cultural spaces in Athens. The idea behind the project is simple: create a network of museums, galleries and cultural venues in Athens that have safe and accessible bicycle parking for visitors, thereby enhancing urban cycling promotion in general and addressing an important gap in the city’s infrastructure in particular. The initiative is kindly sponsored by Helidoni Foundation.

Cities for Cycling recognises that change does not happen overnight, however the ECF Member envisions that the provision of high-quality bicycle parking will allow many of the thousands of existing cyclists in Athens to park safely, paving the way for further development of sustainable mobility.  

There are already notable destinations participating in this initiative such as the National Gallery, Benaki Museum - 138 Piraeus Street, Kypseli Municipal Market, Athens Municipality Arts Centre, Cultural Centre “Melina”, the Museum of Folk Art and Tradition "Angeliki Hadjimichali", Digital Museum of Platonos Academy, and the Athens Municipal Gallery.

Each participating institution must allocate a small, designated space (measuring approximately 2×4m) for bicycle parking that is easily accessible, safe and properly marked. All responsibility for the parking spaces and their installation, including any costs, is covered by Cities for Cycling.

Cities for Cycling also works hard to promote the network and to demonstrate to people that visiting the cultural sites of Athens can be done in the most sustainable, ecological, practical, and environmentally friendly way possible – by bicycle!

(Photo Credits: Cities for Cycling)