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<\/p>\n ANKARA
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In a first for T\u00fcrkiye, a neighborhood in the capital Ankara <\/a>will officially become a \u201cbicycle<\/a> neighborhood,\u201d offering safe cycling education for residents of all ages and reinforcing its position as a key stop for bicycle routes.<\/p>\n Located in the city\u2019s G\u00f6lba\u015f\u0131 district, the Tulumta\u015f neighborhood will bear the title on Aug. 24 at the 4th edition of Gran Fondo Races, an international amateur road cycling race in the province.<\/p>\n Kaz\u0131m Ko\u00e7, head of the neighborhood, explained that Tulumta\u015f had long been a favorite among cyclists due to its central location and easy access.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Gran Fondo team reached out to me [four years ago], explaining they would hold such a race in Ankara for the first time and asked for our support. As residents who value the spread of cycling, we gladly joined in,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Ko\u00e7 noted that local residents were initially skeptical, as there was some resistance because roads were closed.<\/p>\n “Questions like \u2018Why are our roads closed?\u2019 and \u2018Where did this cycling race come from?\u2019 came up. We explained the project carefully.\u201d<\/p>\n By the second year, acceptance grew, and by the third year, the event was embraced, according to Ko\u00e7.<\/p>\n “Now, with the fourth edition coming up, it has become widely welcomed in Tulumta\u015f, the surrounding region and across Ankara.\u201d<\/p>\n Ko\u00e7 highlighted the impact on children and youth.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung people are realizing that cycling is both healthy and environmentally friendly. The sport is attracting more attention, and this year\u2019s race is eagerly awaited.\u201d<\/p>\n The race director, \u00d6mer Faruk Y\u0131ld\u0131z, emphasized the strong collaboration with Tulumta\u015f from the very beginning.<\/p>\n \u201cTulumta\u015f is one of Ankara\u2019s most welcoming communities for athletes. Ko\u00e7 has consistently supported our efforts. The neighborhood also lies along key cycling routes and training paths in Ankara,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n For safety, accessibility and environment, Tulumta\u015f is the ideal location to launch the \u201cbicycle neighborhood\u201d project, according to Y\u0131ld\u0131z.<\/p>\n “We designed the program to help all residents complete their bicycle training,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Y\u0131ld\u0131z added that similar projects are planned for the future.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we started in Tulumta\u015f, we intend to expand this project nationwide, including in Istanbul. We aim to support as many villages and communities as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n As part of the project, the neighborhood will provide cycling lessons for all ages, form a children\u2019s cycling team and become a key stop along race routes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n