During the second semester of SUM the project, the Penteli Living Lab has focused on developing a comprehensive strategy aimed at promoting sustainable transportation and reducing car dependency within the local community. This strategy encompasses a series of both push and pull measures designed to encourage the use of eco-friendly transport options and enhance the overall mobility infrastructure. Here, recent achievements are summarized and upcoming activities planned for the next months are outlined.
Recent Achievements
Penteli Living has made significant steps in creating a more sustainable and accessible urban environment. One of the pull measures is the implementation of an E-Bike Sharing Scheme. Six docking stations have been strategically installed throughout the community, equipped with a total of 38 electric bikes. Once operational, these e-bikes will provide residents and visitors with a convenient and eco-friendly transportation option, reducing the reliance on cars and promoting active travel.
In addition to the e-bike sharing scheme, this living has embarked on a major project to redistribute road space in Penteli as its push measures. Urban street retrofitting interventions aim to transform streets from mere traffic conduits into safer, more accessible spaces for all users. This includes widening sidewalks, adding crosswalks, creating dedicated cycle lanes and tracks, and installing street furniture. These measures not only improve road safety but also prioritize space for pedestrians and cyclists, making the streets more welcoming and usable for everyone.
Outlook for the Next Months
Looking ahead, Penteli is committed to introducing further measures that will enhance micro-mobility services and promote multimodality.
One of the primary objectives is to implement speed reductions on several streets within the municipality’s neighborhoods. This push measure will enhance road safety and encourage a shift towards a less car-oriented urban environment.
The development of a comprehensive cycle network, which will include multiple shared spaces, is also another pull measure focus. This network will be crucial in increasing the share of active transportation modes within the community.
Additionally, local/municipal public transport services are set to be re-introduced in 2024. Some of these routes will be dedicated exclusively to university students, ensuring they have reliable and sustainable transportation options. To further demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, Penteli will be purchasing two electric buses. These buses will play a feeder role in the main network, allowing the pilot of the scheduling integration tool developed as part of the SUM project. Integrated ticketing will be introduced, providing users with a seamless travel experience across different modes of transport.
Another development is the creation of a Mobility Hub in a central location that features mixed land uses and a variety of activities. This hub will serve as the “heart” of Penteli, offering information on e-bikes, local and metropolitan public transport, cycling and walking routes, and ride-hailing services.
Finally, Penteli will be developing a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform. This pioneering platform for both Penteli LL and Greece will integrate ride-hailing services with e-bikes, offering users seamless transport options across different modes and further enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of the transportation system.
With these initiatives, the Living Lab of Penteli is paving the way for a more sustainable and accessible new mobility services, demonstrating a strong commitment to improve its infrastructure, acceptance and safety.
