Hundreds of women cycle to support green transportation

AA Photo

Hundreds of women have taken to the streets on bicycles in multiple events in western and southern Turkey to raise awareness of sustainable transportation methods, as Sept. 20 marked "The World Cities without Cars Day."

Around 500 women cycled the streets of the Aegean province of ?zmir after they gathered at ?zmir's Konak Square at 5 p.m. on Sept. 20 as part of an event called the "Chic Women Cycling Tour" to spread awareness of the positives of bicycle use and highlight the vitality of airy cities without exhaust fumes.

The women decorated their bicycles with multi-colored ornaments and flowers for the event.

"We decorated our bicycles with colorful ornaments, because we want to be conspicuously noticed," Sema Gür, a woman speaking on behalf of the group, said. 

Gür said bicycles were not only for exercising, but also for daily life and that they had gathered to raise awareness of sustainable transportation.

Filiz Morovaineler, a woman taking part in the event with her bicycle, said she was truly passionate about cycling.

"We, as women, want to make our voices heard. We want all cities to have necessary infrastructure for cycling. We yearn for sustainable transportation," Morovaineler said.

"I live in ?zmir. Our goal is to reach far destinations with bicycles, but without exhaust gases," said Dilek Biçer, another participant of the event, adding they came with their bicycles without contaminating the environment.

Click to see pictures from the "Chic Women Cycling Tour"

?zmir Mayor Aziz Kocao?lu from the Republican People's Party (CHP) also attended the event, saying some roads in ?zmir were rugged and that the ?zmir Metropolitan Municipality were constructing cycling tracks.

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