Planning of the Athens Metropolitan Cycle Network using Participative Multicriteria Gis Analysis

Although the intention to use the bicycle in Greek cities is relatively high the modal share is still quite low. This is mainly due to lack of infrastructure. The Greek Ministry of Environment in recognition of this deficit funded a research for the development of the metropolitan cycle network of Athens with a view to include it in the new master plan. The paper presents the methodology and results of this research. The aim was to plan a network that will cover daily activities, while providing safety, directness, convenience and attractive routes. Strategic choice was to avoid a strictly top-down approach; hence the routes were selected by applying participative multicriteria analysis. Our methodology is a way to give a meaningful role to end-users and involve them in important decisions for the city's future. Moreover their participation was helpful to determine what is important from the cyclist point of view concerning cycle routes, increasing the possibility to use them.