BICYCLE INITIATIVE
What is the Bicycle Initiative?
What Have We Done? What Are We Doing? What is Its Purpose?
Bicycle Initiative Manifesto
We wanted to explain what we did in the process of forming the "Bicycle Initiative" of our bicycle adventure that started in 2005 and how we came to this stage.
A bicycle is a simple tool that definitely has a place in everyone's life. It contributes to the development of children, encourages young people to do sports, and offers an economical means of transportation for adults. We saw that the bicycle, which does not harm the environment, does not require fossil fuel, is an indicator of fun and modern cities, was not taken into sufficient consideration by administrators. We took action to change this situation.
We met on a platform with bicycle users who speak the same language and named this platform "Bicycle Initiative". According to the Turkish Language Association, the initiative is defined as "the quality of a person who knows how to make the necessary decisions". We took action in accordance with this definition and discovered our own power with the bicycle.
We wanted to grow a dream by coming together with those who are chasing their dreams. We know that bike travel is difficult, and we eliminated the "easy" option because it is easy. The important thing is to be on the road...
In 2008, we started a program called "Seyir Defteri" on Hayat TV, and we filmed while traveling around Turkey on bicycles. In this program, we shared the beauties and difficulties of bicycle travel with the audience.
We used a Native American proverb in the credits of our Seyir Defteri TV program:
"When the last river dries up, when the last tree is gone, when the last fish dies; the White Man will realize that money is something you can't eat."
This proverb contains a strong message that emphasizes the importance of protecting nature and the environment. We aimed to convey this message to the audience in our program.
Seyir Defteri TV Program
Seyir Defteri was broadcasted on Hayat TV in 15-minute segments every day except Fridays. In this program, Cengiz Yargıç made a single-handed Turkey Tour by bicycle and filmed the program alone. He usually went on village roads and covered the subjects of nature, environment, agriculture, animal husbandry and ecology and conducted interviews.
Another TV program we made with bicycles was broadcasted on İMC TV in 2011 under the name "PEDALLIYORUM". We shot the program opening sequence on Bağdat Street in Istanbul.
Kazım Koyuncu anısına gerçekleştirdiğimiz İstanbul'dan Artvin'e Bisiklet Turumuz 24 gün sürdü. Karadenizde artış gösteren kanser vakalarını konu aldık. "KAZIM KOYUNCU ANISINA KANSERE PEDAL" bisiklet turumuz 2012 senesinde KRT TV de 10 bölüm halinde yayınlandı.
In the project called "SEEING IN ADAMINA", we cycled from Istanbul to Antalya with a visually impaired person. The visually impaired person pedaling behind the tandem bicycle made video recordings along the way with a camera on his helmet. In this project, we tried to emphasize that the real blindness is ignorance by drawing attention to the "Difference Between Looking and Seeing". We made a reference to the media by saying that the visually impaired can reflect the beauties of this country on camera, but the media cannot see them.
In our program called GENÇ AKTİVİTE, which is broadcasted on the Music Channel Genç TV, we carried out different sports and fun activities in many regions, as well as bicycle tours.
BARRIER-FREE LOGBOOK The TV Program we prepared together with Wheelchair User Muhammet was shot in Gaziantep and broadcast on Local TV.
Our bicycle tours in Ordu province were broadcast on TV52.
The cycling events we held in many historical places in our Southeastern Anatolia Region such as Mount Nemrut, Hasankeyf, Mardin, Göbeklitepe, Urfa, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, and Lake Van were broadcast on Denge TV.
We organized cycling events in many provinces of the Southeastern Anatolia Region.
We established our own internet television when internet media was just beginning to develop. Although it didn't survive for very long, it was an important initiative for that time.
ACTIVITY BASKET We set up a website to announce our bike tours and other events. We worked to publish videos of our bike tours on the website and organize tours in many regions. Since social media was becoming more active at that time, the website we set up could not last long.
The "Eurasia Velo" project, which is carried out jointly with the Ordu Governorship to prepare the bicycle routes of Turkey, which is a bridge between the European and Asian continents, was launched with the support of the Eastern Black Sea Development Agency. We are still continuing the Eurasia Velo Project as "Historical Silk Road Routes".
In the Eurasia Velo Project, which was initiated with the support of the Eastern Black Sea Development Agency, we prepared alternative routes from the transit route and plateau roads from Ordu province to the Artvin Sarp Border Gate.
The "YOUNG GUESTS" Project, supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Youth Projects, was carried out at Eyüp Anatolian Girls' Imam Hatip School. Bicycle lessons were given to the girls and bicycle tours were organized together.
We participated in the official ceremonies on Vatan Street on the 29th of October Republic Day as a bicycle cortege with the students of Eyüp Anatolian Girls' Imam Hatip School.
We founded the Pedaluyorum Bicycle and Eco Tourism Association. As an association, we invited bicycle travelers from European and Asian countries.
We started to provide bicycle training in Istanbul. At first, they asked, "Can there be training for bicycles?" We started the trainings in Fatih and Eyüp districts and in line with the demands, we started bicycle trainings in many districts of Istanbul such as Kadıköy, Bostancı, Maltepe, Bakırköy, Beylikdüzü and then in other cities such as Çanakkale - İzmir - Denizli - Antalya - Mersin - Adana - Ankara - Samsun...
We started to provide bicycle training in schools. We developed the Bicycle Train project, which allows children to go to school by bicycle.
We started to provide mass bicycle training in many districts in cooperation with municipalities.
We have trained bicycle instructors in many cities with the system we call "Turn Your Hobby Into a Business".
We trained Youtubers in the period when the impact of TV programs has decreased and Youtube videos have become more prominent. The young team supported by sponsor companies in the videos shot for Youtube can both travel and create their own job opportunities and earn money.
We started bicycle tours for local and foreign tourists in the Sultanahmet, Beyazıt, Fatih, Fener, Balat and Eyüp regions, known as the Istanbul Historical Peninsula.
We started to organize night bike tours as an alternative to the heavy traffic of Istanbul.
We started to organize bicycle tours in nearby nature areas where we can escape from the chaos of Istanbul city.
We started bicycle tours in tourist areas.
I AM PEDALOUS AGAINST HEPPS IN THE BLACK SEA
We participated in the demonstrations by bicycle against the Hydroelectric Power Plants that are destroying the Black Sea nature, rivers, forests and natural life.
LET HASANKEYF NOT BE FLOODED
We fought as hard as we could to protect Hasankeyf.
PEDALING AGAINST BAN
The signatures collected for the lifting of the bans on Grup Yorum concerts were taken from Istanbul to Ankara by bicycle. Grup Yorum organized events along the route by bicycle.
We even had a Bridal Bicycle Convoy.
Bicycle and Ferrari raced.
We prepared satirical videos with Leman Magazine Bicycle Club.
ROAD AND PEDAL DIARIES
Our Bicycle Tours were broadcast on Tele1 TV in the program called "Road and Pedal Diaries".
Ahmet Dönmez, who cycles with one leg, joined our bike tour from Istanbul to Ankara.
World Disabled Day Bicycle Event
We have started Instructor Training Camps in the field of Bicycle Instructor and Bicycle Guidance.
We combined cycling with yoga exercises.
We saw great benefits in cycling tours, cycling training, cycling camps.
We cooperate with Bicycle Friendly Hotels.
We meet with municipalities and work together on bicycles.
We see Wheelchairs within the definition of Bicycle.
We bring the transportation problems of the disabled to the agenda.
We introduce the historical, cultural, natural features and bicycle routes of the regions.
We organize motivation tours for company employees.
We experience bicycle routes and provide information about mileage, slope, road conditions, difficulty level, and necessary equipment.
We provide the right bike selection with our Bicycle Expertise work.
