On Saturday 28 February 2026, at Plateia Agnostou Stratioti, the Municipality of Rethymno received the “Bike Friendly Destination” certification during a special ceremony held as part of the Panhellenic Cycling Cup for youth categories, hosted in the city.

Around 100 athletes from 21 clubs across Greece took part in the races, organised by the Hellenic Cycling Federation, the Atlas Cycling Club and the Municipality of Rethymno.

The certification, valid for the period 2026–2029, was presented by NatTour Director Ms Vicky Karantzavelou. It recognises the Municipality’s consistent commitment to investing in a sustainable and high-quality tourism destination, with a clear focus on developing cycling culture and modern infrastructure.

The event began with a short cycling ride and guided tour through the Old Town, followed by a welcome address from the Deputy Councillor for Tourism, Mr Konstantinos Gasparakis. He underlined that this certification confirms the Municipality’s strategic choice to promote a sustainable model of tourism and everyday mobility.

As highlighted during the ceremony, the Municipality of Rethymno boasts highly developed, quality cycling infrastructure, giving it a distinct advantage built on long-term planning and consistency. The goal of the Tourism Department is to establish Rethymno as one of the leading quality cycling tourism destinations, while strengthening the use of bicycles as a primary means of transport — a move that can substantially improve traffic and parking conditions.

During the event, the title of “Bike Ambassador” was also awarded to Mr Vangelis Petroulakis, member of the Tourism Committee, in recognition of his long-standing contribution to sport and cycling, as well as his ongoing voluntary support of the Tourism Department’s work. The award acknowledges his role in promoting the cycling routes of Rethymno and Crete and is expected to further boost cycling activity in the area.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Atlas Cycling Club and the Rethymno Catering Association, creating a distinctive sporting and tourism experience that showcased the quality of the routes and the beauty of the Municipality’s natural landscapes.