Patras participates in European Mobility Week and Day without Car but cannot keep the cars outside pedestrian zones and pavements not even on that single day.
A great combo of at least 8 cars illegally parked on the pedestrian zone..
Well done Mr. Yannis Dimaras, Mayor of Patras, for not willing to put barriers at the entrance of the pedestrian zone and depending on the "culture of the citizens" in order to keep the pedestrian zone car-free..
Occupy pedestrian zone! A new movement in Patra, occupy pedestrian zone and squares made for pedestrians and people with disabilities and children! Park your car for free and have no guilty feelings..
Of course it's Christmas time and people are happy so better occupy the city with cars..
Forget about German Weihnachtsmarkt, forget about London and Harrods, the best Christmas decoration is in Patras. The Christmas spirit and mood is unique since you can park under Christmas lights and become part of the decoration.
Anyway Patras is pedestrian friendly with many pedestrian zones in the city center..
Special report from Riga Feraiou pedestrian zone expansion
Riga Feraiou is the main pedestrian zone of Patras but when it rains it's more convenient to park and avoid getting wet while shopping or having your coffee.
Ο πεζόδρομος της Ρήγα Φεραίου όταν βρέχει είναι βολικός για δωρεάν παράνομη στάθμευση ώστε να μην βραχούμε και να πιούμε άνετα τον καφέ μας ή να ψωνίσουμε στο κέντρο.
From wikipedia we copy the definition of pedestrian zone:
"Pedestrian zones (also known as auto-free zones and car-free zones)
are areas of a city or town reserved for pedestrian only use and in
which some or all automobile traffic may be prohibited."
Riga Feraiou is the main pedestrian zone of Patra and all automobile traffic is prohibited. But theoretically prohibited since the zone is used as a by-pass or parking spot when traffic is high in city center.
All videos are shot while moving in the city center so it's just a small sample of everyday use of Riga Feraiou pedestrian zone by car and bikes. Patra's citizens and local municipal police don't seem to be bothered by cars or bikes.
ps. Patra was European Capital of Culture for the year 2006.
