In Konya, the city with the longest network of bike paths in Turkey, students are riding their bicycles to school accompanied by motorized municipal police as part of the "Safe School Routes Project."
Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay stated that they are implementing numerous projects to promote bicycle use in Konya.
Mayor Altay said, "We are making a serious effort to use bicycles as a means of public transportation in the city. As part of our Bicycle Master Plan, we have bicycle trams, bicycle spaces in municipal parking lots, bicycle racks on the back of buses, and pedestrian bridges with bicycle lanes. We want to promote the active use of bicycles."
Mayor Altay said, "In all big cities around the world, the only way to solve traffic issues is to increase the use of public transportation and bicycles. In this regard, we are striving to be a pioneer and leader as Konya Metropolitan Municipality. We will continue with such initiatives in the future."
Konya, with its long-standing culture of cycling and favorable geographical features, stands out for having bicycle users of all ages.
The Smart Bicycle Application System of the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, which shows bicycle route paths, parking locations, and repair points, also provides convenience for riders.
Since the bicycle tram in the city, which has Turkey's first Olympic velodrome where international races are held, was put into service, it continues to carry hundreds of bicycle passengers daily.