- A new 1 km cycle lane is planned for Chania.
- A central electric charging station is also on the map.
- Both are part of the EU SMILE CITY project.
- Crete presented the plans at the partners’ meeting in Rome.
- Focus on sustainable mobility, renewable energy, and pilot solutions.
If you have ever tried cycling in Chania, you know that “sustainable mobility” is usually an act of faith. Still, progress often starts small — sometimes exactly one kilometer small.
That is the length of the new sustainable cycle lane presented by the Region of Crete during the partners’ meeting of the European SMILE CITY project, held in Rome from January 27 to 30, 2026. Alongside it, plans were also presented for a centrally located charging station, designed for regular use by both residents and visitors — in other words, somewhere people might actually pass by.
Plans, Pilots, and Practical Limits
The presentation was delivered by Nikos Vasilakis, a collaborator of the Region of Crete, during a workshop where all project partners showcased their local pilot actions in sustainable urban mobility. Each city brought its ideas to the table, along with the usual reminder that reality tends to interfere with diagrams.
Technical partners of the project outlined progress so far, openly identifying gaps, infrastructure needs, and issues still awaiting solutions. Particular attention was paid to the performance of charging stations, the requirements they place on urban space, and the use of next-generation photovoltaic panels, built from recyclable materials and polycarbonate sheets.
There was also discussion of a portable charging battery, because nothing says flexibility like needing backup power for the backup power.
Between Ambition and Everyday Life
The Region of Crete’s participation in SMILE CITY is being carried out in cooperation with the Municipality of Chania, with the familiar goals of improving quality of life and supporting the green transition in urban transport.
Whether one kilometer of cycle lane will change daily habits overnight is another question. But in cities shaped by cars, scooters, and narrow streets, even modest interventions can be a starting point — or at least a test of how theory survives first contact with traffic.
For now, Chania has plans, partners, and a charging station on the drawing board. As always, the real verdict will come not in Rome, but on the street.
