Karditsa in Central Greece and Rethymno, Crete, have both won first and second place respectively in competitions competitions for actions to promote safe walking and cycling.

The competitions, which took place during European Mobility Week 2019, had 3,135 participating cities. Greece had 86 entries in the competition which marked a national record.

Greek Environment and Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said “Karditsa and Rethymno’s achievement was not easy on a European level for the initiatives on safe walking and safe cycling”. He expressed his conviction that “more Greek municipalities will follow suit”.

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Karditsa’s European Award came in the small cities category whereas Rethymno won second place in the large cities category.

The theme of European Mobility Week 2019 was “Safe walking-safe cycling”.