The Green Party issued a statement on Tuesday calling for a ban on quad bikes in Akamas, following yet another accident involving a four-wheeler in the area.

Meanwhile, owners of rental operations are reluctant to give up their livelihoods and suggested to the Cyprus Mail that improving roads would be a better way to address the issue.

However, the Greens and environmentalists hold strongly opposing views on the matter.

“Akamas is not [a] playground and adventure park for tourists. This is perhaps the most important habitat in Cyprus. When will it finally be protected from thoughtless and unnecessary human interventions?” the Greens said.

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“We call on the government to ignore the various business interests and immediately close the entrance to Akamas to four-wheeled motorcycles!”

The recent accident is only the latest in a series, with severe injuries and even a fatality occurring in recent years on the exact same stretch of road.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail on condition of anonymity, the owner of one of the rental agencies in the region said, “The problem is not the quad bikes; the problem is how they’re managed. Measures can be put in place to ensure no accidents happen.”

When asked what rental agencies were doing to protect their clients, the owner explained that they informally screened drivers and encouraged guided tours led by experienced drivers.

“If we see a ‘boy-group’ wanting to rent the quads to go out and race we won’t rent to them,” he claimed.

“We try to suggest that one of our drivers accompany them and caution them about the dangers.”

The companies also provide helmets, goggles and cool boxes for water. Clients are required to download an app that functions as a GPS, he said.

“If they ban the buggies in Akamas, we will be bankrupted,” he added. “What will we do with our investments? Our life’s work will go up in smoke.”

Currently, agencies rent out quad bikes and the smaller so-called “buggies” to anyone 18 and over who possesses a full driver’s licence. No other requirements, such as years of experience, are in force.

Clients must pay a €250- €350 deposit, purchase third party insurance, and are liable for vehicle damages up to €5,000. The cost of rental ranges from €80 to €100 for five-hour or all-day rentals, respectively.

“It’s utterly ridiculous and an outrage that these vehicles are permitted in a national park,” said Georgia, a local journalist and avid hiker, when approached in the area.

“How can you promote sustainable tourism on the one hand and, on the other, have ‘eco-tourists’ covered with dust every time one these vehicles goes by? Honestly, it’s absurd and a chaotic free-for-all.”

The Green party and environmental NGOs have long campaigned for access to the Akamas national park to be restricted only to organised electric vans, bicyclists and hikers, arguing that all other vehicles cause irreversible damage to the area’s unique and sensitive ecosystem.

Revised proposals to this end were being monitored by environmental organisations in June, after a furore last November brought to light that road “improvement” works in the Natura 2000 site were carried out in total disregard for the location’s special status, utilising the self-same methods as for urban works.

The environment department, when contacted, said all works are currently halted, due to the tourist and sea-turtle hatching season, and will resume in September.