Planes, Trains and Automobiles

by John …

It is always interesting observing the way things work in a new city – in this case interaction between cars, motorbikes, trams, the metro and pedestrians in Athens. It would seem somewhat chaotic the way cars and motorbikes operate with little in the way of road markings and signage, certainly very few speed limit signs. BUT you know what, it all seems to work with the odd traffic flow issue so that the  driver can get out to rant and gesticulate over some offence… and surprisingly we have seen no accidents in the time we have been here.

Cars seem to regularly exceed the speed limit (what ever that is – no signs) and in the case of the road outside the marina, stay in 3 lanes at pace even though the lanes are barely discernible. Motorbikes and scooters on the other hand are numerous and lane split at any speed, preferably at least 20 kph faster than the adjacent traffic. Extra points if pulling a wheelie at the same time. Yes, seen it. Helmets? What, they’re only for when you fall off! About 40% wear helmets mainly to stop messing up their hair or keep the sun off. Very noticeable lack of traffic police, speed cameras or monitoring in any way. Road deaths apparently 3 times higher than Australia which is not surprising.

Pedestrians and the interface with cars and bikes is another story. It would seem that when a pedestrian has the green ‘man’ to cross that the need for vehicles to give way is discretionary. This is particularly so if you are a taxi and there is no one yet on the crossing. Pedestrians had better be on high alert and be very fast, which is hard when you are towing a ‘nana trolley’ full of beer (getting in stocks for those hot days). Footpaths vary from well laid marble slab to concrete pavers that need some maintenance. It is nothing to have a bus stop with 300mm of the 3 lane road  or trees planted in the middle of the footpath which makes it impossible to pass with a suitcase – found that one out the hard way when I missed the airport bus stop and had to walk the extra 500m with two cases, LOL.

When it comes to parking, anywhere is OK? There is a noticeable lack of signs and if they are there they are generally ignored. We have seen cars parked on and around corners (articulated vehicle handy here) , across driveways/ streets/ pedestrian crossings and even parked diagonally across kerbs and fully onto the footpath – ok if you are a Merc trying to fit into a Smart car space. They even park at the ends of median strips, 3 across and on the ends of traffic islands. All good but a Smart car is the solution here and also looks cute.

We use the trams and metros to get around – quite good as far as we are concerned. When the roadway is blocked by double parked trucks it seems to be OK for cars to use the tram rails to the next intersection. Just need to make sure the wheels are on the tracks as the tram median is grass and sometimes mud- 4WD needed. Yes we have seen them bogged on the tram line with the tram presence very close- 1m. As you know I have just come off the Design &Construct of the Sydney Metro. The system here is older, simpler and works except when the drivers are on strike. No screen doors here, dwell times are half of Sydney metro (12-15 seconds) and there is a third (power) rail instead of ugly overhead catenary’s with the added benefit of deterring people crossing the lines. They have also solved the graffiti issues  – just have all the metro trains plastered with graffiti already! Fixed that.

Off now to happily catch our tram to our favourite coffee shop in Nea Smirni – double expresso EUR 1.40 and fresh out of the oven, pastries…. yum!