"Podilatreis" (an initiative of bicycling fans in Hania, Crete)

"Podilatreis" (pronounced Poh-dee-LAH-trees) is a movement that was founded in September 2004 by a bunch of cyclists who decided to act up against the dominance of car culture and the deteriorating traffic situation in modern day Hania, Crete. "Podilatreis" have already
• organised several protest bike rides that drew scores of bikers in the city. Those protest rides were partially inspired by similar actions of the international critical mass movement that has been taking place in many cities of the world in the last two decades.
• organised several short day trips in the outskirts of Hania
• filed a formal objection against the proposed new traffic plan (that leaves out any provision for bicyclists, despite former declaration of city officials). Under circulation are public signature collection forms demanding a new traffic plan with provisions for pedestrians, bikers and better mass transport (help us collect more signatures by downloading the form by clicking here)
• bombarded the city papers with articles condemning the indifference of the municipal authorities towards the progressively worsening traffic conditions on the expense of pedestrians, wheelchairs, stroller users and bikers.

“Podilatreis” are planning and materialising protest actions in the city. The exact time and location of next happenings are publicised in this web site.

The name Podilatreis is a wordplay that can be understood as bike-adorers in greek. Contact us for more possible side - meanings.