A new, stricter regulatory framework for electric scooters in the center of Athens, interventions in traffic and parking, as well as initiatives for road safety and tackling drug use, were presented by the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, speaking on the radio station “Parapolitika 90.1” and the show “She and I”.
Road safety awareness campaign – “Driving is not a video game”
Referring to the awareness campaign held in Kotzia Square in view of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, the Mayor underlined the importance of raising awareness among young drivers.
“We have placed six car seats, six stories of road traffic accidents. Four of them were fatal, two of them were people who survived,” he said, noting that more than 150 students participated in the action.
“109 deaths in the first ten months of this year in Attica. We must reduce it to zero,” he stressed.
Traffic and parking – New spaces in the center by the end of the year
Regarding the traffic problem, Mr. Doukas announced that by the end of 2024 the underground parking lot of Kotzia Square will open, offering 500 new spaces.
Together with the interventions in Klafthmonos and Varvakeio, as he said, “we are shaping an excellent scenario for parking near the center.” At the same time, new parking spaces have been identified in Kypseli and Pagrati, with the Municipality examining ways to utilize them.
On the transportation front, the Mayor reiterated that the solution to traffic jams lies in the metro and public transportation. He welcomed the 24-hour operation of the metro on weekends and announced that the Municipality has submitted a comprehensive study for the development of municipal transportation.
Projects in Vasilissis Olgas – “It must be delivered by the end of the year”
Regarding the progress of the project in Vasilissis Olgas, Haris Doukas stated that the road is “90% ready”, while recalling that the contractor company had committed to completion by the end of October.
“It’s been six years, half a kilometer and many millions. Everyone must rise to the occasion,” he noted, adding that if the project is not delivered by the end of the year, there will be a “serious problem”.
New regulations for scooters – End of “chaos”, strict rules are coming
The Mayor of Athens placed particular emphasis on the issue of EPIO (electric scooters), announcing that the new regulations are ready and will be submitted to the City Council.
Key points of the new framework:
- Mandatory parking only in the designated areas. If the user leaves the scooter elsewhere, the charge will continue until he transfers it to the correct location.
- Prohibition of movement on sidewalks. If the user attempts to move on a sidewalk, “there will be a barrier. It will stop working,” said the Mayor.
- Exclusive pedestrian zones. On streets such as Dionysiou Areopagitou and Ermou, users will be able to move only on foot, dragging the scooter.
- Collaboration with companies. As he said, there has already been a “pick-up” from the “chaos” of previous years.
“Each of us must take responsibility,” he added, noting that citizens’ traffic behavior plays a crucial role in the image of the city.
Drugs in the center – “Nothing has been done of what was announced”
Referring to the serious issue of drugs, Mr. Doukas accused the government of not implementing its announcements.
“They told us that by the end of the year they would eliminate drug addicts. They presented a plan, talked about structures and spaces. Nothing has been done,” he said.
The Municipality has carried out a detailed record, knowing – as he said – even the public transport lines used for travel from areas such as Agia Varvara and Aspropyrgos to the center.
Christmas lighting is coming – The tree will be lit on 27/11
Finally, the Mayor presented the program of Christmas preparations.
The large tree, which arrives from Vytina, will be lit on 27 November, in the presence of the Mayor of Vytina. The overhead lights have already been placed in the streets, while the decoration begins on the 20th of the month.
“We started early to be ready. We want Athens to be beautiful during the holidays”, he emphasized.
