There are a record number of bicycles in Karditsa – 30,000 and the effort… continues!

There are a record number of bicycles in Karditsa, according to estimates by the municipal authority of Karditsa, as they amount to 30,000, which is also the number of passenger cars.

They are used by all ages, from infants to the elderly. In fact, a year ago, the municipal authority of Karditsa installed two bicycle repair stations, which have one or two bicycle stands, a floor pump for inflating tires and a series of screwdrivers and keys for minor bicycle repairs and adjustments. The two stations will cover a part of the minor repair needs of the bicycles of citizens and visitors by bicycle, all days and hours.

With his installation o Municipality of Karditsas aims, as he announced, to promote the use of the bicycle as a means of transportation or leisure, which contributes to the reduction of traffic, traffic jams and consequently pollution and noise within the city, to the environmental awareness of citizens and the strengthening of cycling tourism.

Also, the mayor of Karditsa took a pioneering and symbolic action with the aim of further strengthening the use of bicycles in the city. In this context, he rewarded four employees of the municipality with an extra day off and symbolic gifts, for the fact that their team won the first prize in the nationwide friendly competition “biking to work”. It should be noted that a total of 31 employees were awarded a day off. The mayor of Karditsa said to the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency that those who have a proven track record of commuting to and from work by bicycle throughout the year are rewarded. Vasilis Tsiakos.

According to data from the municipality, the use of bicycles in the city of Karditsa is an integral element of its very “identity”. It is characteristic that even today there are old bicycles, which were usually inherited from the father or grandfather. These are large and heavy bicycles (also known as “trucks”).

Many of them are in excellent condition, have hand brakes and counters and some of them have a seat on the top of the frame to be able to carry small children.

The most famous brands, which are still seen today, are Bismarck, Royal and Goreg. These bicycles were used from 1960 onwards as a means of transport for residents to go to work.

Thus, every day they traveled long distances, such as Karditsa – Trikala, Karditsa – Palamas, Karditsa – Leontari, both in cold and hot weather.

The same bicycles were used by the residents for their daily walks and the transition of couples from the surrounding villages to Karditsa.

Characteristic is the fact that these old bicycles had a license and had the necessary number on the back.

In the 1960s, when the private car makes its timid appearance along with other motor vehicles, the bicycle is still a means of transport and entertainment for a large proportion of people in the area.

At the end of the 1960s, men’s bicycles, as well as women’s, i.e. lighter ones, were in circulation in Karditsa. The movement of students from the nearby villages to the schools in the city is done with them, while on the weekends groups of young people took their walk to the grove of Paparantza and many times to the PPC factory.

In the 1970s more cars start to circulate, so cycling is only for the poor, children and athletes. Therefore, the first children’s bicycles began to be released, as well as the first photos.

In addition, for big ladies who cannot ride two-wheeled bikes, there are three-wheeled bikes that park everywhere and can carry some essentials. Today in the Municipality of Karditsa, the structured network of cycle paths is 7,300 m long in the urban fabric and 10,500 m peri-urban. Finally, the mayor of Karditsa, Mr. Tsiakos, emphasizes to APE-MPE, that the city has won many distinctions, the highlight of which was the first prize at the European Mobility Week.

RES-EMP

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