Karditsa: Bicycle city
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
Humidity, dense fog hang over the streets and alleys, fro where, early in the morning dozens of bicycles spring forth, with riders rushing to their jobs.
It is not a city of Western Europe... it's Karditsa. Bicycles for Karditsa are part of its tradition, its physiognomy. Today, in the municipality of Karditsa, the structured network of cycle paths is 7300 m long within the urban web and another 10,500 m. of network around the city, consisting of the 7 km long cycle path that connects the city with the town of Palaioklisi and the 3, 5 km route suitable for walks with friends and family.
The suburban cycle path starts at the height of the Railway Station and through a wonderful route - Hydropirgos, Agios Minas, Anahoma - ends up in the forest of Paparantza and most of it is in a verdant natural environment.
The municipal authority through the Sustainable Urban Development Plan promotes the expansion of the urban network by 700 meters with a new cycle path on Iroon Polytechniou Street.
The city is a bicycle track
The city of Karditsa also has one of the most modern bicycle rental systems in Greece. The system, according to the municipal authority, is available to all, permanent residents and visitors. By using the easybike electronic card, anyone can pick up a bicycle in seconds and use it for as long as he or she desires, then return it to any of the rental hubs.
In Karditsa, there is no home withouta bicycle, and that is not an exaggeration, and in most cases every family member has his own, and although it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how many bicycles are circulating in the city, a number of 15,000 to 20,000 would not be an exaggeration.
