Gümülcine mayor urges residents to embrace car-free mobility
Gümülcine (Komotini) Mayor Ioannis Garanis has called for reduced car traffic in the city centre and greater use of sustainable transport in a message marking World Car-Free Day on September 22.
Gümülcine Municipality is supporting World Car-Free Day, observed across Europe on September 22 to promote environmental awareness and more sustainable forms of urban mobility, with activities organised as part of European Mobility Week.
Municipality promotes walking, cycling and public transport
In his message, Garanis highlighted the importance of reducing vehicle congestion in the city centre, encouraging walking and cycling, and expanding the use of public transport.
He said the municipality is organising European Mobility Week for the second consecutive year, with a programme that includes activities aimed particularly at children.
Garanis also referred to the municipality’s work during last year’s European Mobility Week, which was recognised with an award from Greece’s Ministry of Environment and Energy.
According to the mayor, the award acknowledged the municipality’s efforts to create an accessible and barrier-free transport environment for residents and visitors.
Focus on accessibility
Garanis said Gümülcine (Komotini) is gradually becoming a more accessible and liveable city from a transport perspective.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities, older residents and families travelling with children can move around the city without encountering physical or other barriers.
The mayor said achieving this goal requires not only municipal action but also compliance with public-space and traffic rules by residents, shopkeepers and drivers.
He called on residents to walk and cycle more frequently and urged people to help ensure that public spaces remain accessible to everyone.
Garanis concluded his message by emphasising the municipality’s commitment to both residents and visitors, saying: “We love our city, its residents and its visitors.”
