For years, the Turkish city of Sakarya has been quietly building out new infrastructure to support cycling of all varieties. Whether training for the Tour de France or trying to bike to school with your children, Sakarya is investing in cycling at every possible intersection to promote sustainable and healthy lifestyles.
To help residents and visitors make the most of new infrastructure investments, Sakarya is partnering with Tripy, a Turkish micromobility start-up, to bring free-floating e-bikes to the city.
Zag Daily: What makes Sakarya a suitable environment for bike share systems?
Yusuf Alemdar: “Sakarya has a strong cultural cycling tradition. Our people are already familiar with bike sharing systems, and our cycling infrastructure is built to international standards. This infrastructure, supported by safe roads, bike crossings, directional signage, and maintenance standards, combined with the growing population and urbanisation, provides an ideal environment for the rapid and widespread adoption of e-bikes.”
Zag Daily: How does Sakarya’s new partnership with Tripy Mobility fit into this culture?
Yusuf Alemdar: “Sakarya is a city with a vision to offer its residents a cleaner, healthier, and more connected future. We place great importance on bike sharing systems. Tripy’s e-bike sharing system is a crucial part of this vision, offering a sustainable and accessible alternative to driving. The ease of accessibility of Tripy’s system, encourages our citizens to choose cycling over driving for their daily commutes, shopping, and social activities.
“This momentum, which will become even more widespread over time, will significantly reduce traffic congestion, especially during rush hour, and reduce our city’s overall carbon footprint. Furthermore, bike sharing systems naturally increase physical activity in daily life, supporting healthier lifestyles. They also reduce transportation costs, making sustainable mobility affordable for all income groups.”
Zag Daily: How does a partnership with Tripy support Sakarya’s sustainable transportation goals?
Yusuf Alemdar: “One of our goals is to reduce car-dependent mobility and accelerate active transportation in Sakarya. In this context, Sakarya’s Transportation Master Plan 2035 (TMP) and its Bicycle Master Plan 2030 (BMP) were recently prepared. We are working to make it easier for young people, in particular, to choose cycling as a means of transportation.
“We’ve taken a proactive approach to sustainable transportation. Sakarya launched the Tripy system, which can be rented for short-distance trips during the day, and it has attracted great attention in a short time. The Tripy system is designed to increase bicycle use in the city, foster a love of cycling among citizens, and promote a healthy lifestyle.”
Zag Daily: What other infrastructure are you implementing in Sakarya to support sustainable travel in the region?
Yusuf Alemdar: “Tripy’s e-bike system is just one part of Sakarya’s sustainable transportation vision. We’ve also built a modern network of over 180km of safe and accessible bike paths. These paths not only provide safe cycling within the city, but also integrate with public transportation hubs, allowing residents to combine different modes of transportation during their travels. In addition, we introduced electric buses to our fleet, and installed charging stations throughout the city. Our upcoming Metrobus (BRT) project will provide fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly public transportation, further reducing reliance on private vehicles.
“We’re also renovating pedestrian walkways, and expanding the city’s green corridors and developing “safe school routes” to ensure children can travel safely on their own. This aims to foster sustainable transportation habits from an early age.”
Zag Daily: Sakarya has been building cycling infrastructure for many years. What has been most effective in spearheading Sakarya’s transformation into a “Bicycle City”?
Yusuf Alemdar: “Sports and cycling are a passion in Sakarya. Sakarya established a “Bicycle Department” for the first time in Turkey. We have also prepared three important city plans to raise awareness among local governments, residents, and professionals about the need for a more active, healthier, and more sustainable lifestyle.
“Our city hosts the annual Sakarya Bike Festival. The festival has become the meeting point of the world cycling community. We are the first city to host major cycling and sports events in the same calendar year, and are delighted to be one of the world’s leading cycling and sports centers.”
Zag Daily: What will you next focus on to help achieve Sakarya’s transportation goals?
Yusuf Alemdar: “Our goal is to reach 500 km of bicycle paths in the coming years. We’re not content with our titles; we’re building a city where sports are accessible to everyone. We offer our citizens an active and social life with parks, nature, facilities, and bike paths, and we operate with the principle that “sports are for everyone” in every project.
“By transforming this passion into a lifestyle, we are building a city that embraces sports and cycling not just as activities, but as a culture. We know that the soul of a city is nourished by its nature, inspired by its history and comes to life through sports.”
