Local Green Deal (LGD): UNI eBikes

Overview The "UNI eBikes" Local Green Deal (LGD) is a collaborative initiative between the Municipality of Larissa and the University of Thessaly, launched within the framework of the European Commission’s Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC). This initiative aims to transform urban mobility and promote sustainable transportation through the deployment of smart electric bicycle infrastructure.

Objective The primary objective of the UNI eBikes LGD is to reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution in Larissa by encouraging the use of electric bicycles for daily commuting. The project also seeks to foster behavioural change towards greener transport habits and strengthen cooperation between municipal authorities, academia, and local businesses.

Key Actions & Commitments

• Installation of one IoT-enabled eBike station with nine electric bicycles at the GAIOPOLIS campus of the University of Thessaly.
• Development of a digital platform for real-time eBike tracking, data collection, and usage analytics.
• Educational and promotional campaigns targeting approximately 8,000 students, staff, and visitors.
• Data-driven decision-making to support the city’s smart mobility and sustainability strategies.

Environmental & Social Impact

• Estimated reduction of CO₂ emissions by approximately 20 tons annually.
• Elimination of around 18,250 km of vehicle travel per year.
• Expected increase of 15% in sustainable transport adoption among campus users.
• Integration of real-world data into university research and academic curricula.
• Strengthened identity of Larissa as a forward-thinking, green city.

Partners Involved

• Municipality of Larissa: Funding provider and project coordinator. Responsible for procurement, infrastructure, and overall management.
• University of Thessaly: Project site provider, technical infrastructure supporter, and educational partner.

Funding & Resources

• Total estimated cost: €20,600
• Municipality of Larissa contribution: €20,000
• University of Thessaly contribution (in-kind and infrastructure): €600
• Public funding, with potential support from national or EU programs.

Implementation Timeline

• Project signed: Early 2025
• Completion target: June 2025

Strategic Alignment The UNI eBikes initiative contributes directly to:

• Larissa’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP/SVAK)
• Strategic Plan for the Smart City of Larissa
• Urban Development Plan (UDP) 2021–2027
• European Green Deal goals
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goals 3, 9, 10, 11, and 13

Future Outlook The Municipality of Larissa envisions scaling the eBike network to more locations within the city and integrating renewable energy solutions for bike charging. Additional partnerships and funding streams will be explored to sustain and expand the initiative, ensuring long-term impact and replicability in other urban contexts.

Contact For more information on the UNI eBikes LGD, please contact:

• Panos Fitsilis, ICC Project Manager – Municipality of Larissa
  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Vasilis Kyriatzis

Local ICC Officer – Municipality of Larissa

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.