Cyclists pedal along fault line as Turkey marks 16th anniversary of quake

Cyclists have pedaled from the northeastern province of Kars to northwestern Yalova as part of a project organized by the Search and Rescue Association (AKUT) to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the 1999 ?zmit earthquake. 

AKUT welcomed five cyclists who pedaled 1,500 kilometers to raise awareness at the entrance to Kocaeli province, which neighbors Yalova, for the project, "Along the fault line 1,500 km by bicycle."

The project's team leader, Hakan Korkut, told reporters they had held seminars and distributed flyers along their route. 

Derya Keçeci, a 53-year-old teacher who was one of the cyclists in the group, called on society to become more aware of earthquakes. 

Another of the cyclists, Mehmet Murat, underlined the importance of being prepared for earthquakes.
"We must remember that earthquakes are a part of our lives and we must be cautious and prepared," he said.