Our Team

Vision

The NGO “Cities for Cycling” is dedicated to promoting the use of bicycles in Greek cities and the development of Cycling Tourism in Greece.

On the one hand, we are in continuous dialog with representatives of the state and local government, in their effort to understand the need for the creation of cycling infrastructure. On the other, we raise public awareness of the benefits of cycling, and encourage the public to include more cycling in their lives, more regularly.

At the same time, we implement a series of actions aimed at promoting cycling in Greece, and create a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences regarding cycling, between Greek and European cities.

The ultimate goal of the organization is to promote sustainable mobility in Greece with the bicycle as the main vehicle, to improve the environment, to develop the economy, and to create healthier and more liveable Greek cities.

As an active member of the European Cyclists’ Federation since June 2014, Cities for Cycling has the appropriate means to achieve its goals, such as carrying out actions, academic research and educational programs in cities that are (more or less) bicycle-friendly.

Aims

Educating children, young people and adults about cycling, the proper use of infrastructure and the benefits of using it as an alternative means of transport in the modern city.
Informing the public about the benefits of using bicycles, such as inexpensive travel, reduced health costs, convenient parking, easy bypassing of traffic obstacles, etc.
Promoting research on issues related to cycling.
Raising awareness among the state, local authorities and social actors about the benefits of using bicycles and the need for immediate and strict policies to promote them.
Improving conditions in the road environment so that bicycles can be used comfortably and safely.

Promoting the bicycle as a means of development of the Greek economy in areas such as the bicycle industry, assembly, retail trade, repair, disposal and bicycle infrastructure.
Defending citizens’ rights with respect to the city and urban transport.
Cooperating with private and public bodies, both within and outside Greece.
Promoting cycling tourism and, by extension, the preservation of the authenticity and character of the Greek landscape so that it is attractive to cyclists and visitors in general.
Operating as a reliable social partner in the dialogue with the citizens and the state.

Cyclists & Communication

The everyday cyclist, the hobbyist or the sportsperson are the backbone of communication for the promotion and development of cycling in cities and more generally. They are the ones we rely on to realise our vision of more bicycles on the roads. Our extensive experience in the fields of communication and cycling is a guarantee for raising awareness across the largest possible audience.

Scientific Knowledge

Without scientific knowledge, simple love or interest in sustainable cities or cycling is not enough. The scientific team of “Cities for Cycling”, with its extensive experience in the field of creating cycling infrastructure, is a strong argument that our goals can be realized.

Cycling Market

Without… bicycles, there is no cycling. And the other way around! The cycling market is our close partner in actions and activities as our ultimate goal is the same: More bicycles on the roads.

Spiros Papageorgiou

Born in 1965 in Athens. He began his amateur involvement in the field of cycling in all its forms – for exercise, tourism and transportation – and professionally since 1999, with the publication of MBike, the first monthly cycling magazine in Greece and subsequently the first sectoral exhibition for cycling, the Athens Bike Festival.

Since 2013, in parallel with the activities of MBike, which is now the largest media platform for cycling in Greece and the organizer of cycling events, he created the NGO “Cities for Cycling”, a member of the European Cyclists Federation with the aim of developing cycling in Greek cities and exchanging good practices with European Organizations.

His personal interest focuses mainly on highlighting the advantages of the bicycle as an alternative means of transportation in modern cities, on the development of cycling tourism and on the education of children and adults in this direction.

Vasilis Tsirikos

Business Administration graduate, and holder of Master’s degree in Economics from Boston University.

He has been an account manager in Marketing & Advertising companies.

For the last 15 years he has been working as the CEO of TSIRIKOS SA, a family-owned company, specializing in the import and trade of bicycles, one of the oldest and most recognized companies in the field.

Dimitra Blana

Dimitra is a biomedical engineer and health data scientist. She studied at the National Technical University of Athens and continued with a master’s and doctorate in Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University in the USA.

For many years, she was involved in research, developing mathematical models to address complex health problems, from the design of assistive technologies for people with disabilities to epidemiological modeling during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, she has extensive experience in public engagement, aiming to bridge research with the needs of society.

Today, she seeks to utilise her experience and skills to contribute to the creation of healthier, sustainable, and accessible cities. She believes that promoting active mobility and reducing car dependence can substantially improve people’s health and daily lives, and this is the aim of her collaboration with Cities for Cycling.

Efi Triantafyllidou

A graduate of the Department of Archaeology & Art History of the University of Paris X-Nanterre, and holder of a master’s degree in Cultural Management from the University of Paris IX-Dauphine, she has been professionally involved in organising festivals and events since 2000.

For the last 5 years, she has been collaborating as a project manager with the organisation Cities for Cycling to promote the use of bicycles and sustainable mobility.

She is a certified Eurovelo Inspector by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF).

George Stathis

Graduate of the School of Applied Graphic Arts and Advertising and Graduate of Business Administration – Shipping. He has a particular interest in the bicycle as a means of transportation and improvement of sustainable mobility in cities.

Political-Social Action
1990-2010: Elected in all local elections as Municipal Councillor of the Municipality of Athens (3rd Municipal District).
1996-2010: Elected continuously after each local elections, President of the Municipal Council of the 3rd Municipal District of the Municipality of Athens.
He has served as a founding member and member of the Board of Directors of the Development Company of the Municipality of Athens.
Member of the Board of Directors of Radio Station Athens 9,84 and Member of the Board of Directors of the Youth and Sports Organisation of the Municipality of Athens.
2001-2023
Founding member and member of the Board of Directors of “Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens – Gazi”. (A public limited company for the protection and promotion of the industrial and archaeological park of Athens). Member of the Association of European Journalists.
2011-present
Member of the Steering Committee of the European Strategic Planning Organization EOSS with responsibility for the operation of the press office and representation in the media.

Our Team

Vision