This is the third time of posting on this topic and I'm not surprised that having just returned from another holiday on Spetses Island that my feeling on the subject of the traffic problem remain the same. Nothing has been done to reduce the number of motorcycles and scooters on the roads. In instead of the warm smell of the summer gardens and countryside we have petrol fumes - lovely ! Trying to enjoy a meal in one of the tavernas like Spetsiotiko or an icecream in Klimis is impossible because of the noise and fumes. No wonder these establishments aren't busy. The proprietors of eateries and shops we spoke to said they'd had a very hard year, which one could say was understandable due to the effects of the world economic recession. However, other islands are doing well despite this, Naxos for instance, which we visited just before Spetses. It has had a bumper year for tourism. Granted, Spetses is not an easy place to get to and it is expensive with regard to quality accomodation and food and drink. However in days gone by that hasn't mattered to independent travellers like myself. Something's not right and I think people are voting with their wallets and feet and going to other islands. The authorities need to find out why. Next season, an official survey of visitors to the island should be conducted to gather their thoughts as to their holiday experience. This sort of market research will prove invaluable to the people of Spetses in attracting the business required to sustain the island in years to come. In these challenging economic times, only the astute and prudent will thrive.

In July 2009 we returned from a month-long vacation to Spetses.  This trip was our 10th summer holiday to Greek Islands and the first time visit to Spetses.  For us- the keen naturalists and hikers, the stay on Spetses was the absolute nightmare from the day one.  Every family on Spetses has at least one motor bike, tri-wheel bike, buggy, or other motorized vehicle.  Walking is unpopular here, even the shortest distance must be traveled on wheels.  We saw a mother breast-feeding the baby while driving the motorbike, 4-people and the dog on one speeding bike, oversized objects being transported on the bike, and more crazy motorbike acrobatic than one can imagine.   In addition to the on-islands commonly present scooters and small motor bikes, on Spetses we encountered unusualy high number of big engine road bikes and motocross racing bikes.  They were driven at dangerous speeds, exceeding posted limits.  Pedestrians are regarded here with ignorance and near misses are frequent.  As the construction and building activities culminate during the summer time, the narrow town roads get filled with trucks early in the morning, carrying construction materials, and waking up visitors.  Later on during the day, these trucks race-compete with buses circling the island at periodic intervals trying to get tourists to garbage-covered small beaches.  No one observes the speed limits, no one uses helmets, traffic regulations do not exist, and the noise is unbearable.  Local police is practically inactive.  Only one measure is implemented to avoid crashes or accidents:  Honking the horn prior to entering any blind curve or corner.  This creates environment much similar to that of overpopulated Asian metropolises. The inner island low hills formerly overgrown by Aleppo pine were turned into a training ground for motocross bikes.  The pine forests were burned down by several catastrophic fires over the last 20 years and the countryside still looks rather barren here.  Roaring bikes tear the dirt roads, rising clouds of dust.  Hiking here is further made unpleasant by smoke from constant landfill burns, which is blown by eastern winds from the coastal area at the South-East side of Spetses over the entire island.  It reminds tourists of non-ecological liquidation of waste on this relatively heavily populated (pop. 4,000) small island. Located close to the Peloponnese Peninsula (15 min. ferry ride), the island is frequented by the mostly Greek visitors- for the short (weekend-long) visit and tourism thrives.  This may be a reason for a lack of interest in foreign visitors.  Accommodations are overpriced, often shoddy, and tourists frequently receive cold treatment at best.  We will never go Spetses again.

I know how you feel, but I guess if you ain't got the necessary money, you'll just have to deal with it. You guys are easy to adapt, not like us, we won't choose the first bridesmaid dress I see! 

Can you imagine, the only reason I joined this Forum, was to be able to add a comment re: noise pollution! Bikes? Cars? TRUCKS! Howling discos, the neighbor's screeching music, the neighbors yowling kids...yes.Music,music everywhere, and not a (harmonious) note to hear!

I too agree with the above. I made my  5th visit to Spetses this year  and was shocked at the increase in motorcycle - and, surprisingly, car - traffic that is now on the island. But, it's not only a question of noise, it's also that the narrow streets now feel unsafe for pedestrians - it's bad in town but, equally so , for walkers on the coast road. I will continue to go back to Spetses, which holds special memories for me, but for the first time I now feel that I could  not recommend the island to others. The 'special' ambience has undoubtedly gone now. Obviously, the issues for the Spetsiots are multi-layered, but short term economic gains are not the answer for an island whose tourist economy seems in real trouble. A wider strategic view is needed, but can the municipality do this ....? I hope so.