Which Greek island does not allow cars?
The Greek island of Hydra has a special rule: no cars or bicycles are allowed. Only emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances can enter the island. The island's residents (around 2,500 in number) use donkeys, mules, and horses to move around.
This unusual rule has actually been good for Hydra's economy and made it richer than the nearby islands. Many tourists like to visit the island because it's peaceful and quiet.
What is the history behind this decision?
In the 20th century, cars became a thing in Greece, but they didn't work well on the island of Hydra. This is because the island is full of rocks, steep hills, and narrow streets. Instead, donkeys and mules, which are strong animals, were much better at getting around on Hydra's tough land.
So, in the 1950s, the Greek government made a rule that said people couldn't use cars or other vehicles with wheels on this island. They did this to protect the island's architecture and traditional way of life. Even today, people on Hydra still use donkeys and mules to carry shopping bags, building materials, and more!
Are there any disadvantages to this wheel ban?
There are few roads on Hydra, so some places are difficult to reach. This can be a big problem during wildfire season because local firefighters can't get to the fires quickly. So, sometimes, planes from the mainland of Greece have to spray water on the fires from above.
It's also hard to get help from ambulances when someone is very sick because the medical centres can be far away, especially for people living in the mountains. Sometimes, they have to be carried down on a stretcher or even on the back of a donkey. Getting things like building materials delivered to the island is also quite challenging.
Even with all the difficulties, the people who live on Hydra like this way of life better than dealing with the pollution, noise, and accidents that come with cars and other vehicles.
