bike hire in Greece

open · Trackday Trickster Joined: 04 Apr 2011 Karma :

Out in Athens at the moment and thinking of hiring a small bike for the day.
Never rode abroad before, and told Athens is a death trap for bikes.

What do you recommend?
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ocatoro · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Sep 2012 Karma :

i hired a 100cc scooter in greece over the summer without a license. and without even showing i had a driving license.

presumably they are governed to by the same eu legislation as we are? that'd never happen here!
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Never forget when I went to Rhodes about 20 years ago..went to hire a scooter (didn't have my licence or any id).....he asked of id ever rode a bike before, I said no. He said if I could ride it to the end of the lane and back i could hire it......I ended up dropping it trying to turn in the narrow street.....he still let me hire it !!
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DonDino · Scooby Slapper Joined: 24 Mar 2012 Karma :

Some advice from the forum's resident (ex-)Greek Wink

In Greece, laws are suggestions. You can follow them if you like, ignore most of them if you don't.
Most Greeks that you will see riding bikes do not have a bike license. This is a fact. When I started taking bike lessons here, my Greek friends were baffled and asked me why the hell was I taking lessons and tests instead of just buying a bike and going for it... Rolling Eyes

That said, most big and serious bike hire companies will, of course, require to see your full bike license before giving you one of their precious bikes, even in Greece.
If, however, you are in one of the islands or remote countryside on mainland, it is possible to find a small bike hire shop hiring scooters without too many legalities. Attitudes are far more relaxed outside the big cities.

With regards to insurance, it is as mentioned above. I presume the bike hire company will provide suitable 3rd party insurance to cover all 3rd party costs. EHIC should cover any emergency costs, but repatriation is something for your travel insurance, so make sure you have some. And by the way, EHIC covers you in the same way that Greek citizens are covered - but at the moment, many Greek citizens don't even get the cover they are supposed to get and they have to pay up front for medicines they *should* get for free.
I would trust EHIC on a normal non-biking holiday, but if I were to be riding bikes there, I'd make sure my travel insurance covers all eventualities.

As for the actual riding part... Have you driven in Greece? It's great fun, once you get used to the fact that lane markings and road signs are unnecessary decorations that nobody cares for. It's a more dynamic style of driving/riding, where you fill up all the available space as fast as possible, and take advantage of the tiniest gaps.

You need to pay extra special attention all around you, as it is normal for faster cars to cut off slower bikes. At the same time, I'd say Greeks have a more acutely tuned sense of gaps, and can leave very tiny gaps when overtaking of cutting someone off - most of the time it works because they've practised it for so damn long, they are actually good at it.

Athens city centre is a nightmare to drive or ride anyway. The southern suburbs (look for signs to P. Faliro, Kalamaki, Elliniko and Glyfada) are much more open-spaced with wider roads, lots to see, beachfront cafes and such.

Enjoy!
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open · Trackday Trickster Joined: 04 Apr 2011 Karma :

Thanks guys.

I hired a 150cc scooter for the day, planning on going out tonight (Sat with a beer as I write) so no more driving today. Leaving Athens tomorrow anyway so only have to survive taking it back hehehe.

Went 2 up with my mate towards glyfada and it actually wasn't to bad, everyone drives like people tell me i shouldn't when on a push bike e.g go through red lightswhen safe, filter and overtake, edge into the pedestrian crossing, etc.

It didn't take to long to get used to riding on the right either.

I'm staying in monastaraki.

Also I applied for my Ehic card but didn't have it when i traveled - how will that affect me?
____________________
"Calamity - A more than commonly plain & unmistakable reminder that the affairs of this life are not of our own ordering."

[s]Baotian BT49qt-9 --> Honda CG125 (4 speed) '51 plate ----- 03/11/2012 Mod 2 PASSED! --> Cb500s[/s] Revoked Sad

J4mes · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Karma :

Pay cash if you can, saves the hassle of them doing a "customer not present" charge when they find loads of imaginary damage on the bike and you having to claim it bike via the bank Thumbs Up

open · Trackday Trickster Joined: 04 Apr 2011 Karma :

Thanks guys.

I hired a 150cc scooter for the day, planning on going out tonight (Sat with a beer as I write) so no more driving today. Leaving Athens tomorrow anyway so only have to survive taking it back hehehe.

Went 2 up with my mate towards glyfada and it actually wasn't to bad, everyone drives like people tell me i shouldn't when on a push bike e.g go through red lightswhen safe, filter and overtake, edge into the pedestrian crossing, etc.

It didn't take to long to get used to riding on the right either.

I'm staying in monastaraki.

Also I applied for my Ehic card but didn't have it when i traveled - how will that affect me?
____________________
"Calamity - A more than commonly plain & unmistakable reminder that the affairs of this life are not of our own ordering."

[s]Baotian BT49qt-9 --> Honda CG125 (4 speed) '51 plate ----- 03/11/2012 Mod 2 PASSED! --> Cb500s[/s] Revoked Sad