As Turkey’s third-largest city, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) holds a very important place within the local administration of Izmir. In such large and growing cities, transportation must be carefully planned to take into consideration issues such as environmental impacts, sustainability and safe transportation.

Local governments and experts have already demonstrated openness and interest towards issues of sustainable development. Particular attention has been paid to sustainable mobility and cycling in the  Izmir Main Transportation Plan (UPI 2030), published in 2015 with a project completion target of 2030. The project, which includes important investments that will shape the future of Izmir, includes a significant Izmir Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan that was completed in 2018. This plan specifically encourages new cycling policies and standards to make the City of Izmir a model city of cycling as a mode of transportation.

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality plans to extend the current bicycle routes to a total of 453 kilometres by 2030, as a part of its Transportation Master Plan, and aims to scale up the rate of “bicycle use in transportation” from 0.5% today to 1.5% by 2030.

Izmir joins EuroVelo: the European cycle route network

In 2019, a 500-kilometre continuation of EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean route was completed. The route passes through the Izmir region and has ensured that Izmir is the first Turkish city to join the network. The EuroVelo 8 route will connect the ancient cities of Pergamon and Ephesus and, in doing so, contribute to sustainable tourism, transportation and the local economy. This new extension will make the total route 7,500km long, connecting the Aegean City of Izmir to Spain’s Andalusia region via, the French Riviera, the Adriatic Coast and the Balkan Peninsula with a ferry connection that links the ports of the Izmir coast to Greece.

Cycle tourists using the EuroVelo route will have the chance to enjoy local cuisine and experience historical and cultural sites whilst making a sustainable economic contribution to the region.

Source: Izmir Metropolitan Municipality

Sustainable mobility on two wheels in Izmir

The spread of everyday bicycle use will require a radical change in mentality for many in the region. In order to achieve this, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality was the starting point for the BISIM project, a sustainable bicycle rental system. Originally launched in 2014, the project aims to ensure bicycle culture takes hold throughout the country.

Only five months after the project’s launch, there were already 500 users subscribed. Now, there are already 55 bike stations (with 960 parking docks), 650 bicycles, 120 child bikes, 120 tandem bikes and over 2.5 million journeys made. Thanks to the improvement of the bicycle lane on the seafront, the journeys made by bike are now safer and more enjoyable. Additionally, sales of bicycles have increased since residents have become accustomed to using bikes as a method of transport rather than solely for leisure or sport.

Find out more about Izmir Metropolitan Municipality's website.
For more information on the network, on current members and how to join, visit our Cities & Regions for Cyclists page.