Bollard-forest in Kifisia

This summer the Municipality of Kifissia received a new delivery of bollards, you know - those handy posts for preventing cars driving on pavements.

But it seems no-one read the "Directions for Use" on the box!

In the Nea Kifissia neighbourhood you can find this bizarre bollard-chicane, presumably designed to slow down fast-walking pedestrians.

What were they thinking?

Well, sure, it might cause some problems to the pizza-delivery boys on their mopeds, but what about the wheelchair user and pram-pushing parents? Pavements are for people!

You can get the full background (in Greek) at Makis Polis' blog, here:
http://aiolias.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html

Write to the Municipality: anak@otenet.gr

Porsche beats wheelchair in close Kifissia race

To the naked eye, it looked like a dead-heat, but the camera does not lie. It was a photo-finish in this unscheduled race over a zebra-crossing in Kifissia, Athens but clearly the wheelchair user came a close second to the Porsche Boxter. The lucky winner has not claimed his prize, and since the license plates were removed he may never collect his trophy.
(Of course, this was not really a race - just a bit of "pavement parking", which the Porsche owner blatantly copied from the Jeep owner next to him). Our friend, Makis, looks on in total bemusement. Yes, it pays to have a good sense of humour - especially in Kifissia, where the rich-and-careless outnumber the law-abiding by about 10:1).
Pavement-parking afficianodos will note that the wheelchair user was actually hindered in parking next to the Porsche by the position of a "No Waiting" signpost, which is planted on the pavement exactly in line with the centre of the zebra crossing. But since both competitors had an equal chance of hitting this obstacle there is little chance of the race stewards declaring a re-match.

Zebra declared endangered species in Marousi

Returning to a long-standing obsession of mine - the pedestrian environment in Marousi, Athens - it is a pleasure to report that a new zebra crossing has been spotted between Ermou Street and the Railway Station forecourt. However, the car-driving natives seem oblivious to the significance of these rare animals, with their contrasting stripes adorning the road surface. The "free parking" attitude prevails. But with the local "Everest" sandwich bar just 10 metres from one end of the crossing - where better to park one's car? Yes, both these cars were parked illegally on 02.04.2007 at 08.40. Morning coffee time.
Tip for traffic wardens: Click on photo to read car number plates and issue two fines in one go!