ECF’s longtime partner organization ISCA have launched their “NowWeBike” European cross-border cycling tour. A team of four volunteer recreational cyclists (3 men and 1 woman) will cross the borders of 12 countries, using eight different EuroVelo routes over 2,700 km, finishing in Brussels on 9 September after 47 days of cycling. The NowWeBike Tour is in full swing, so let's have a look at what have been the tours highlights so far!

After the kick off event in Mugla NowWeBike team started the tour to YATAGAN city located 30 km away from the province of Mugla, in Yatagan the team had a pleasure meeting Tarcan OGUZ, folklore researcher, who works as deputy mayor at Yatagan Municipality, who kindly told the team about the history and culture of Yatagan city. Continuing on the rout the team stopped in Bodrum. After cycling in Bodrum Streets, they had a meeting wih city mayor of Trafo, Mehmet Kocadon. Feridun Ekmekci conducted a press meeting regarding NowWeBike tour and stressed the importance healthy and active lifestyle and the important discoveries of ISCA's recent study Inactivity Time Bomb. What surprised the team pleasantly was cocktail party for Nowwebike team organized by Bodrum Municipality and BBK (Bodrum Cycling Club). The team met people from different associations such as Bodrum

Cycling Club, TURSAB and Mugla Cycling Association

On 26 July the team had three destinations on their cycling plan – Koycegiz, Dalyan and Ortaca. Before entering the city, some cyclists from Koycegiz Cycling Association welcomed the team. Koycegiz is the only city in which the number of bikes are higher than the number of people living there. The team met the governor of Koycegiz, Gurkan Demirkale the district director of national education, Fazil Karabag and the mayor of Koycegiz, Kamil Ceylan. The team and the local cyclists arrived in Ortaca and the mayor, Hasan Karacelik welcomed the team, he was proud of supporting the NowWeBike team and NowWeMOVE since it is very important campaign to promote health an being active.

After arriving to Marmaris the team had some side activities planned with the Marmaris local cyclists, cycling associations and press in the centre of the city. All the members of the team gave interviews about their part in the tour and explained the aims of the NowWeMOVE campaign and NowWeBik tour. “As well as being a mean of transportation and alternative tourism, cycling is also an enjoyable way of making people more active in their daily lives. The main aim of NowWeBike event is to make people more aware of advantages of doing exercises in their daily lives in order to have a long and a happy life,” Adnan Cangir said.   The cycling tour will continue till 09.09.2015 with the final event in Brussels. Find out more information here. Read more stories from the road here.