Heraklion's Journey to Sustainable Cycling with Smart Solar-Powered Parking Hubs

The final days of November 2023 found us introducing our pioneering smart and secure parking hubs to the city of Heraklion, Greece. This city-wide network, consisting of ten solar-powered hubs strategically placed in key locations, has swiftly become a beacon of innovation in urban mobility.

Accessible through the user-friendly Rastel.io mobile app, these hubs not only prioritize security with features like motion detection sensors and surveillance cameras but also eliminate the risk of unauthorised access by means of key or card transfer/duplication. Cyclists now enjoy a seamless and secure parking experience, contributing to a more sustainable and cyclist-friendly city.

What sets our approach apart is our commitment to community collaboration. The app empowers local partners eager to support active and sustainable transportation, giving them the opportunity to reward cyclists and get in-app promotion in return. The app serves as a platform for partners to support the transition towards sustainable urban mobility.

In less than two months since the launch, the results have been extraordinary. Over 200 cyclists have registered, and the parking hubs are used daily by the local community. This story is not just about providing convenient and secure parking—it's about fostering a community dedicated to a more sustainable future.

For a visual tour of the smart bike parking hubs installed in this project, explore the images here. Our products continue to pave the way for a smarter, more sustainable urban landscape, one parking hub at a time.

The project was financed and supported by EIT Urban Mobility through the #ChallengeMyCity program.