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Thursday, October 12, 2023

Bicycle city Izmir hosted the EuroVelo Cycling Tourism Conference organized by the European Cyclists Federation (ECF). The conference, which opened its doors with the theme "Bicycle: A New Perspective on Heritage", brought together the cyclists of Europe in Izmir.

EuroVelo Cycling Tourism Conference, organized by the European Cyclists Federation (ECF), started with the hosting of Izmir, which is the first city from Türkiye to be selected for the European Cycling Route Network (EuroVelo). The conference, which is held every two years to raise the awareness of EuroVelo member cities, increase bicycle visibility in the city and develop cycling tourism, was hosted by the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), in partnership with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, in cooperation with Izmir Governorship, ENVERÇEVKO National EuroVelo Coordination Office and stakeholder organizations.

Those who attended the opening ceremony at the Swiss Hotel of the conference, which started with the theme "Cycling: a New Perspective on Heritage";Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Governor of Izmir Süleyman Elban, Deputy Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mustafa Özuslu, President of the European Cyclists Federation Henk Swarttouw, ambassadors, heads of non-governmental organizations, representatives of political parties, academicians and many cyclists from all over Europe.

Bicycle is very valuable in urban transportation

Deputy Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Mustafa Özuslu, who made the opening speech of the conference, said, “As Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, we are aware that it is the movement that will protect the balance, nature and beauty of this city since the day we took office. We have implemented important projects with this goal. One of the works that excited us the most was EuroVelo. The contribution to the local economy that comes with participating in Euro Velo cannot be ignored. What makes us happy and excited the most is being able to introduce this beautiful city to cycling tourists. We are proud to be the first city from Türkiye to be selected for the European Cycling Network. Transportation policies are of vital importance for cities to grow in a sustainable, accessible, economic and environmentally friendly way. "In addition to factors such as correct planning, infrastructure investments and public transportation systems, we continue to do our best to ensure that bicycle transportation contributes to meeting daily transportation needs," he said.

“Izmir route is the most used route in 2022”

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said, “We are happy to host you in Izmir, one of the most important tourism centers of Turkey. Izmir offers a magnificent environment to host this event with its 8,500-year-old historical heritage, the cities of Ephesus and Pergamum on the UNESCO heritage list, and its unique structure extending across the Aegean geography. We participate in the European Cycling Routes network, which connects the entire European continent in Turkey and offers 19 different long bicycle routes, through the cities of Edirne, Kırklareli and Izmir, via the EuroVelo 13 and EuroVelo 8 routes. "EuroVelo 8 Mediterranean Cycling Route, which exceeds 90 thousand kilometers and is one of the most important routes of the EuroVelo cycling route, is the most used route of EuroVelo, seeing 2022 data," he said.

“Pedaling is very important in this city”

Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban said, “It was very appropriate to organize this beautiful conference in our city. Many criteria are taken into consideration when evaluating the development criteria for cities. Bicycle priority is as important a criterion as pedestrian priority. Organizing such a conference in Izmir, one of the most developed and respected cities of our country, will contribute to increasing bicycle use and raising awareness. You know how important it is to pedal in this city, among these historical beauties.

“We will now meet annually”

Henk Swarttouw, President of the European Cyclists Federation, said: “Tourists want an active sustainable trip. The EuroVelo conference started in 2012 and it was very appropriate to hold this conference in Izmir on the 8th route. Starting from this year, we will meet annually. We will hold this conference every year so that we can spread bicycle tourism more to the world. We want to popularize the use of bicycles both for daily use, for tourism use and for hobby purposes. There has been a 60 percent increase so far. There will be 45 participating speakers from 17 different countries today and tomorrow. "We will share our experiences together," he said. The conference will end tomorrow (October 13).

It will connect the ancient cities of Pergamon and Ephesus

The EuroVelo project, one of the important projects of the European Cyclists Federation, aims to promote and coordinate the creation, support and operation of a sustainable Trans-European Transport Network throughout the European continent. EuroVelo consists of 17 long-distance cycling routes with a total length of 90 thousand kilometers connecting all of Europe.

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality approved the approximately 500-kilometer Izmir bicycle route as an extension of EuroVelo's Mediterranean route number 8, which starts in Cadiz, Spain, and has two separate finishing points in Athens, Greece, and also in Cyprus. Izmir became the first Turkish city whose official membership was announced by ECF. Izmir EuroVelo Route, which is in the developing route category, connects the two UNESCO cities of Pergamon (Bergama) and Ephesus (Selçuk) ancient cities.

Cycling tourism route is being increased to 580 km

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is carrying out works to improve the infrastructure on the 500 km main route and extend the route. Free repair stations and bicycle pumps were placed at 33 different points along the route. Dikili-Çandarlı-Menemen village routes have been studied as local routes and work is being carried out to add them to the main route. As a result of these additions, the main route will reach 580 km.

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