With cycling from the University of Nicosia to the Nicosia Municipal Theatre and the participation of many cyclists, The project "Construction of a cycling infrastructure linking the Universities of Nicosia to the City Centre - Phase B" was inaugurated today in the presence of the Mayor of Nicosia, Constantinos Yiorkatzis, and the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Nicosia, Mr. The 5.2 km long infrastructure, inaugurated today, is the second of the four phases of the project (with a construction value of €2,235,000) and starts from Kykkos Metochi and ends at Solomou Square.
According to an announcement by the Ministry of Transport, the 5.2 km long infrastructure inaugurated today is the second of the four phases of the project (with a construction value of €2,235,000). The longest length of the cycle route runs on the pavement and the rest of the route is located through the Nicosia Public Garden and next to the pavements. As part of the project, a 20 m long bridge has also been constructed over the Pediaion River, for pedestrian and cyclist use only, connecting Gladstonos Street with Herodotus Municipality Street.
The Ministry says that the project was co-financed by 85% by the Cohesion Fund of the European Union and 15% by the Republic of Cyprus, as it was proposed through the Competitiveness and Sustainable Development Operational Programme, priority axis "Promotion of Sustainable Transport and Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions", in order to promote active means of transport and the use of cycling as a means of transport.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Karousos pointed out that "the effort of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works is to integrate cycling into the everyday life of citizens, as a safe and reliable means of transport, sport and entertainment". According to him, the absence of cycling infrastructure until now made it difficult for citizens to choose bicycles for their daily commute. Now, he said, this obstacle has been overcome, adding an economical and environmentally friendly option for citizens to move around Nicosia.
The promotion of cycling, the minister stressed, is part of the wider commitment of the ministry and the government to decarbonisation, as stated in the National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030, which envisages climate neutrality by 2050. By promoting cycling as a means of transport, the Government aims to improve the traffic problem by providing options for urban travel and introducing cycling into the daily lives of citizens. Furthermore, in addition to reducing the environmental footprint and urban noise, cycling promotes an enhanced quality of life, saves energy and helps reduce road wear and tear, Karousos said.
Speaking specifically about the cycling route inaugurated today, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works described it as very important, as it will connect the Universities of Nicosia both with each other and with the city centre. The infrastructure, he said, is expected to serve students and contribute to reducing the financial burden on their families, as it is a significantly cheaper option to purchase and maintain a means of transport compared to a car. He called on students to make use of this new cycling route for their commuting and to integrate cycling into their daily lives, not only as a means of transport, but also as a means of sport and entertainment.
The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works thanked and congratulated the Mayor of Nicosia, the Management and Officers of the Sustainable Mobility Branch and the Office of the Nicosia District Engineer of the Public Works Department, the Technical Services of the Municipality, as well as the companies Dionysis Toumazi and Associates and KEDRIS CONSTRUCTION LTD for the preparation of the study for the construction plans of the second phase and the construction of the project, respectively.
In his turn, the Mayor of Nicosia, Constantinos Yiorkatzis, pointed out that the Municipality's vision is for Nicosia to develop into a more sustainable city for the benefit of future generations, stating that the ecological footprint of the city should be minimized by reducing pollutants from cars and facilitating access to other forms of environmentally friendly transport, such as bicycles.
"This is why the network of cycling routes was created," said Mr. Yiorkatzis, "which will make cycling to and from the centre of Nicosia an everyday, comfortable, pleasant and above all safe experience for everyone."
Speaking about the inclusion of the cycling route within the Pediaion, he referred to the citizens living in the areas of Strovolos and Lakatamia, who now have the opportunity to take their bikes and, in a short time, visit the city centre.
Mr. Yiorkatzis pointed out that with the completion of Phases C and D, which are expected to be announced soon, the connection with Kaimakli and Pallouriotissa will be realized, thus completing the vision of the cycling fusion.
Source: CNA
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