The overwhelming majority of Athenians who live or work in the Greek capital are anything but pleased with the famous “Athens Great Walk”, a project to create pedestrians and bicycle zone in downtown but turned into a Great Flop.
Two surveys conducted by the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki and the Panteion University in Athens found that the Project failed to meet citizens’ expectations.
87.8% of the respondents of the surveys conducted among 1,108 people have said that they were pleased “not at all” or “only slightly” with the interventions.
In addition, 89.4% said that the Athens Great Walk was “badly designed,” while 89.3% said that their needs were taken into consideration.
One in three said the Great Walk has not created more problems in the city center but has not solved any either.
Only 18% of respondents said the project helped reduce traffic, while 55% said that the interventions did not reduce the vehicles flow in downtown Athens..
The greatest number of positive responses (25.4%) were to whether the Great Athens Walk has increased public space.
First introduce paid parking like in any other city. Perhaps with parking licenses for residents around their home address. But it is just simply ridiculous that motorists can occupy public space with their car.
You must come from the Netherlands where the idea of free anything, even water, is an insult.
I don’t know about the Great Walk but it would be nice to be able to walk on any pavement in Athens without being in danger of motor bikes using the same pavement space as well as bicycles and scooters. Parents with small children are putting their little ones at risk because of the speed if the bikes and scooters. They are a danger to the elderly and disabled as well.
Why is it that pedestrians are given no consideration nor respect.
Cars are often parked on pavements and many block the pavement where you need to cross a road forcing pedestrians into the traffic. Small shops place their produce on the pavements and their customers block pedestrians from walking down the already narrow space.
Why are the public encouraged to use bicycles and the even more dangerous scooters in the interest of the environment and exercise for health while walking which is an essentially good exercise is being made impossible? Not everyone can afford a bicycle or a scooter.
At the same time many dog owners allow their pet to foul the pavements exposing pedestrians to disease and mess.
No need to complain about the Great Walk while it is so difficult to use the pavements around the poorer areas of the city.