Joint efforts for the e-bike sharing system of a small isolated Greek island (Psara Municipality)
About this good practice
The problem, which initiated this practice, is the limited tourism offerings on the Greek island of Psara, combined with challenges in sustainable transportation. With only 420 permanent residents and being far from mainland, Psara’s small population limits public funding, constraining the resources available for tourism development and infrastructure improvements. Recognizing Psara’s lack of commuting infrastructure within the village and limited touristic options, the municipality set an e-bike sharing system as a priority to support both local transportation and tourism.
The practice reaches its objectives by addressing Psara community needs through a collaborative approach. Symplefsi NPO (dedicated to providing voluntary healthcare to isolated Greek islands) partnered with the Public Power Corporation (PPC) of Greece, which is funding initiatives prioritized by local communities, to undertake the system implementation in front of City Hall.
The main stakeholders and beneficiaries in this initiative are PPC, Symplefsi, Cyclopolis & Psara Municipality. PPC, as sponsor, provides the funding to enable the project. Symplefsi manages these funds to meet community needs like Psara’s e-bike sharing system. Cyclopolis supplies the e-bike infrastructure and expertise. Psara Municipality, the primary beneficiary, gains improved local transportation and enhanced tourism potential. Together all these stakeholders support Psara residents with better mobility and tourism opportunities.
Resources needed
The e-bike system required €26K to set up. Annual maintenance costs of €3K managed by Cyclopolis & the Municipality. Human resources:
•Symplefsi: engineers,managers,dissemination experts
•PPC: Corporate Social Responsibility officers
•Psara: Mayor,local technicians
•Cyclopolis: engineers,design team
Evidence of success
Psara’s practice demonstrates success through strong usage, media attention, and a diverse user base reflecting high public acceptance. It includes 1 bike per 100 residents, while the general average is 1 per 500-1000 inhabitants. Mayor’s vision is to further expand the network. The service attracts a wide audience: 80% are tourists (both Greek & foreign), 20% are local residents. Significant media traction with 200+ views on media reports & posts and thousands of views on national broadcaster.
Potential for learning or transfer
The multilevel collaboration for Psara’s e-bike sharing system creates a model for isolated or small islands/regions. Key successfactors include coordinated involvement of multiple actors, allowing efficient management. Private funding directed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) was critical, as Psara’s small population leads to limited public funding options; thus, offering a model for areas with similar constraints. Geographic isolation with limited boat access, required close coordination between the Supplier (Cyclopolis) & end-Beneficiary (Municipality) who handles part of the maintenance effort.
The system’s success boosted Psara island’s reputation and provided tourists with a valued activity, emphasizing the benefits of sustainable tourism in remote areas. This project shows that a public-private approach can make e-bike sharing feasible even in challenging contexts, serving as a framework for other regions to adopt sustainable transport solutions tailored to their needs.
Further information
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Good practice owner
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