Thessaloniki: The cycling network is growing – Balance for parking spaces
Of Lemonia Vasvani
From the print edition “Thessaloniki Press”
Thessaloniki now has a bike path with a protection island for cyclists. The works for its upgrade on Koundouriotou and Salaminos streets were completed by the municipality of Thessaloniki.
Specifically, as the Technical Advisor of the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Mr. Dimitris Mitrou, stated in “TyposThes”: “This is the first phase of the axis Koundouriotou – Salaminos – Polytechnic – Renaissance. The project includes the construction of a two-way bicycle path with a 70 cm safety island that has a divider from the motorized path. The second phase of the project refers to the construction of a bicycle path in Papafi. The budget of the project that has been included in the NSRF is at 1.3 million euros, while with the discount given, the amount has dropped to 650,000 euros. We estimate that the first phase that has been completed by summer and the phase by Christmas “.
For the grills
Asked about the grilles on the renewed bike path and the reactions from citizens to the fact that they can be dangerous for cyclists, Mr. Mitrou commented that “The seats are determined by EYATH because as you understand where there is a closed system such as on the bike path in this case, the water must be drained. He has discussed the issue with the contractor of the project and instructions have been received so that there is no difference in altitude with the road “.
He added that permanent bike lanes such as some of the above do not have a divider from the motorway.
The movement of the bike path in Nikis Avenue saved lives
He explained that the bicycle road of L. Niki is temporary, has no divider and is located on the right because it divides part of the motorway. He added that as soon as the necessary studies are done and the relevant permitting is received, the wooden deck will be built in the old beach with an extension of 6-10 meters for pedestrians. The bike path will go up there in the future. Mr. Mitrou underlined that the transfer of the bike path to the road is a move that may have saved lives, as the pandemic period gave more space for pedestrians and avoided overcrowding on the spot. “In the period of the pandemic, ensuring public health is high on the agenda of the municipality. In the old beach finds escape many people who have no other way of recreation. “The fact that there was more free space for them was a vital move and we estimated that it saved lives because there was no overcrowding,” he said.
Political movement the obstacles for Papafi’s bike path
Asked to comment on the issue of Papafi’s bike path, Mr. Mitrou claimed that “the decision of a portion of the opposition does not say in the construction site traffic regulations was political”. He reminded that the construction site traffic regulations on the signage during the construction of the project, such as the signs, the layout of the area, etc. “An increased majority was required for the project with 25 votes. The 18 voted in favor and the rest voted no or white. Consider that the permanent traffic regulations have been approved and the construction sites have not passed. This is an oxymoron shape. It was a political reasoning of those who said no or voted white in order not to do the job. We will bring the issue up again. “But we are sounding the alarm because if the site traffic regulations are not passed, then the funding from the EU may be lost.”
Regarding the residents who react to the project, Mr. Mitrou noted that the main problem that concerns them is that of parking. “We have contacted them to inform them about compensatory measures in the parking lot. “Besides, with the abolition of the bicycle road of Konstantinos Karamanlis, parking spaces have been vacated”, noted the Technical Advisor of the Mayor of Thessaloniki.
Commercial renovation of 10 streets – Among them is Papafi
At the same time, he added that Papafi Street from Kaftanzoglou to Kanaris is one of the ten streets around the metro stations of our city for which the Municipality of Thessaloniki is claiming funding for their commercial renovation.
The project concerns 25th of March, Markou Mpotsari, Papafi, Klafthmonos, Olympou, Koloniari, Panagia Faneromeni, Eleftherias, Eleftheriou Venizelou (in Triandria) and Egnatia (from the fountain to the square) streets.
Balance for parking spaces
Regarding the issue of parking spaces that mainly concerns the opponents of the bike lanes, Mr. Mitrou noted in the “Thessaloniki Press” that “there is a balance” and “all legal parking spaces lost due to bike lanes are covered in a short time”.
He also added that the asphalt paving program continues in another 60 streets of our city and that the goal of the municipality is to help micro-mobility in Thessaloniki.
The opinion of the shopkeepers of the area
But how do shopkeepers in the port area view the new bike path?
A representative of a restaurant in Salaminos Street stated to “TyposThes” that “There is now a clear picture. “Cars move in two lanes and bicycles in a separate place.” He added that they only suffered during the construction period of the project “from dust and noise”.
On the contrary, an employee of a restaurant in Koundouriotou Street commented on “TyposThes” that “it is a problematic project”. He explained that “cyclists will have to cross the crossing from the point where the bicycle road of L. Niki stops to go to the bicycle road of Koundouriotou”. He added that “the area already has a parking problem that will now worsen” and stressed that with the new bike path “there will be an issue with the supply of shops and specifically with the loading and unloading of goods in restaurants”.
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