They pedaled from Brazil to Antalya

The "COP31 Bike Ride" initiative, which set out to draw attention to reducing carbon emissions, connected the COP30 in Brazil and the COP31 Climate Summit in Antalya with a bicycle ride. More than 20 thousand kilometers were covered during the journey, which lasted approximately five months.

THEY CAME TO THE COP31 CLIMATE SUMMIT BY BIKE

The Türkiye stage started from Istanbul on October 7. Cyclists proceeded through Eskişehir, Ankara and Konya, reached Antalya and attended the COP31 Climate Summit by bicycle.

The main purpose of the initiative is to popularize the use of bicycles in daily transportation and draw attention to reducing fossil fuel consumption.

THEY COVERED MORE THAN 20 THOUSAND KILOMETERS

COP31 Bike Ride Türkiye Coordinator Nihan Lafcı stated in her statement to Habertürk that the journey has been going on for about five months.

Lafcı said, "We have covered more than 20 thousand kilometers for approximately 5 months, consuming zero fossil fuel. We also managed to cross the ocean with sails without consuming fossil fuel. More than 2,200 cyclists participated voluntarily."

THEY LINKED THE COP CLIMATE SUMMITS TOGETHER

Referring to the journey that started from Belem, Brazil, Lafcı said, "The cyclists who set off from Belem, Brazil, where COP30 was held, traveled more than 20 thousand kilometers. Our aim is to carry out this ride like a handover ceremony connecting the COP climate summits. Some of us are in the blue area, some of us are in the green area. We brought 2,200 people in total this year."

THEY WANTED BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION TO BE EXPANDED

Stating that bicycle use should be more included in urban transportation, Lafcı said that bicycle transportation should be integrated with public transportation systems.

Lafcı said, "We advocate the popularization of bicycles in daily transportation and their integration into public transportation. This is a doable, cheap and fast solution. If bicycle transportation can be given priority and if we can make this our country policy, we will live in much more livable, freer and decent cities."