From 30 sept. to 7th October, ultra cycling for climate action and sustainable mobility - Greek Branch of COP31 Bike Ride 🚴
On 30 September 2026, the Greek branch of the COP31 Bike Ride set off from Syntagma Square, in front of the Hellenic Parliament. Many cyclists gathered for the departure, while the Municipality of Athens was represented by Nikos Chrysogelos, Municipal Councillor responsible for the Climate Pact and Social Economy, who continues to support the initiative and its message. People from different cycling backgrounds came together for a shared purpose: safer roads, more people-friendly cities, and a meaningful place for cycling in everyday transport and climate plans.
The Greek branch was organised by Hellenic Autonomous Randonneurs (HAR) through voluntary work and many hours of preparation and collaboration. Behind the journey were hundreds of messages, hundreds of emails and numerous phone calls to bring municipalities, organisations and local communities together.
The initiative took place under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, with the kind support of Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., Official Supporter of the Greek delegation.
Rain accompanied our departure and grew heavier as we headed north. Our first welcomes came from local municipalities along the route. In Kifisia, a planned meeting with pupils from three schools had to be cancelled because of the weather. Their drawings, however, reached the delegation. With the help of the municipality and a local primary school, the children’s pictures and thoughts about cycling became part of our journey, reminding us that the cities we strive for must also allow children to travel safely and freely. We especially thank Evi Roussounelli and Amalia Vrachnou for their personal contribution.
From Atalanti and Lamia to Karditsa, Trikala, Larissa and Tempi, the route combined cycling with meetings and discussions about sustainable mobility. In Karditsa and Trikala, we saw bicycles playing a lively role in everyday life, giving tangible form to the message we were carrying.
The journey brought long days, climbs, rain and strong headwinds across the Thessalian plain. It also brought people who waited for us, rode alongside us and generously offered their help. Shared meals, warm welcomes and practical support gave us strength to continue.
The route continued through Leptokarya and Veroia towards Thessaloniki. There, Elena Petaloti and the Thessaloniki Cycling Sports Association — PASTH played an essential role in bringing the local community together and coordinating with the municipality. We especially thank them for their contribution to the official welcome and the screening of “Together”, the documentary about the international ride to COP30. Alongside the signing of a Letter of Commitment, these activities connected our journey with a wider discussion about the future of mobility.
As we continued towards Serres, Kavala, Komotini and Alexandroupoli, the support of local communities kept giving us strength. Cyclists welcomed us along the way and accompanied us between towns. In Evros, through Soufli and Orestiada, their generous help continued to make this a collective journey.
Throughout the ride, many cyclists contributed their time, energy and companionship. Some joined us for five, ten or fifteen kilometres, others for several stages, and some rode the entire route with us. Every contribution mattered. Different cycling communities came together around the same aspiration: an everyday environment that respects cycling and includes it in transport planning.
A key outcome of the initiative was the collection and handover to the international delegation of 17 signed Letters of Commitment supporting cycling and sustainable mobility.
We warmly thank every municipality that provided these letters, both along our route and elsewhere in Greece. We thank the mayors and elected representatives who signed them, as well as the municipal staff who helped turn this cooperation into reality. We are grateful to all the municipalities that welcomed us and supported the initiative. Special thanks also go to Dimitris Kouretas for his support.
After crossing the Greek–Turkish border, we continued through Edirne and Kırklareli to Pınarhisar. There, we handed over the banner, covered in signatures, and the letters we had collected to the international delegation for the relay’s onward journey to Antalya. It was a moving moment, bringing the participation and voices of Greek local communities into the international effort.
The welcomes, farewells and spontaneous offers of help became some of our strongest memories. Old friendships grew stronger and new ones were formed. The journey showed how cycling can connect people, towns and countries through a shared commitment to the common good.
We thank all the cyclists, volunteers, schools, hosts and local communities that supported the journey, and all the journalists and media teams that helped carry its message further through articles and coverage of our departure from Syntagma Square.
We also thank the General Secretariat of Sports for its institutional support and Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., Official Supporter of the Greek delegation, for its valuable contribution.
The Greek journey has ended. The work continues: for safe, connected cycling networks, more space for pedestrians and cyclists, and the integration of cycling into national climate plans. The signatures and encounters gathered along this journey can become the starting point for lasting cooperation and concrete improvements in our everyday lives.
Greece's main ride coordinators, here in the picture 🙏
Hellenic Autonomous Randonneurs (HAR)
COP31 Bike Ride 2026 — Greek Branch