Detailed description (English): On September 15, in İzmir we will organize a tandem cycling event to draw attention to the use of tandem bicycles in order to overcome the problems of accessibility and mobility in urban contexts having particular impacts on disabled individuals.
Eşpedal has emerged from the idea of visually impaired individuals being able to ride tandem bicycles, designed for the coordinated use of two people together. We have come up with the idea of pairing our responsible and experienced cyclist friends with our visually impaired friends to go on local and intercity trips. We also experience the nature together by arranging camping excursions and the feeling of achievement by participating in cycling races.
This year we organized an event with the support of Civil Society Development Center (Ankara, Turkey). In the honor of the Mobility Week.on September 15, in İzmir we will ride again our tandem bikes along with other bicycle groups, NGOs working in İzmir or on issues of disability. We have invited the EU delegation, mayors of municipalities in İzmir and citizens of İzmir and with the participation of all these groups we would like to deliver our message on the importance of accessibility, mobility and the rights of disabled individuals to the city, nature and solidarity. Eşpedal means "co-ride" in Turkish and our motto is "companionship" we are calling everyone to experience our ride.
Target group(s): İzmir city citizens, municipalities (policy makers), disabled citizens, EU delegation
Objectives: to draw attention to the problems of accessibility and mobility by disabled and İzmir residents
underline the importance of bike roads in İzmir
underline the importance of accessibility for everyone
the right to the city and the nature
improve solidarity between disabled and non-disabled individuals
Expected Outcomes: We expect a participation of 200 people; 24 people will ride tandem bikes, more than 50 bikers will also join the event we also expect the citizens in Konak Square and the ones along the route to Alsancak will be joining in the parade. As a result of the event we expect:
media coverage
improvement of bike roads in the city
provision of tandem bikes by the municipalities for the use of citizens and disabled individuals
recognition of tandem bicycle ride by the sport federation as a branch (to empower and raise disabled athletes)
Partner: Civil Society development Center, Birlikte Program
EU Délégation
İzmir Municipality, County Municipalities in İzmir