Türkiye Pedals for the Planet: 81 Provinces Cycle for Climate Awareness Ahead of COP31

Türkiye has taken its climate message to the streets. The Turkish Cycling Federation’s nationwide campaign, “Türkiye Pedallıyor” — Türkiye Is Pedaling — brought cyclists and communities together across all 81 provinces from 29 October to 1 November, linking the country’s 103rd Republic Day celebrations with a call for cleaner transport and greater climate awareness, just days before Türkiye hosts the COP31 climate conference in Antalya.

The campaign was open to everyone, from licensed athletes and cycling club members to students, families, daily commuters and people interested in nature and tourism. Organisers said they wanted cycling’s power to bring people together to encourage greater public participation in climate action — and to turn awareness into lasting everyday habits, not only discussion around major conferences.

A ride in every province

Events took place in different cities on varying dates and schedules during the four days. In Istanbul, the main gathering was scheduled for 31 October, with participants setting off from Beşiktaş Square at 10 a.m. for a cycling tour of approximately 10 kilometres.

A second report on the Republic Day celebrations confirmed the initiative had launched, running from 29 October to 1 November across all 81 provinces, and described it as combining the celebrations with climate awareness ahead of COP31. It likewise recorded the Istanbul ride of about 10 kilometres starting at Beşiktaş Square, open to licensed cyclists, clubs, students and families.

Why cycling carries a climate message

Unlike motor vehicles, bicycles produce no tailpipe emissions while being ridden. Replacing car journeys with bicycle trips, particularly over shorter distances, can help reduce transport-related carbon emissions, the campaign’s coverage explained.

Cycling also encourages regular physical activity while supporting more liveable cities, environmentally responsible transport and sustainable tourism. The campaign highlighted that safe bicycle lanes, infrastructure that supports cyclists and habits developed from an early age are essential if more people are to choose bicycles for everyday journeys.

From one celebration to everyday habits

Turkish Cycling Federation President Emin Müftüoğlu said the initiative would combine the Republic Day celebrations with a broader message about shared responsibility for the country’s future.

“As we celebrate the enthusiasm of our Republic across all 81 provinces in the 103rd year of our Republic, we also want to draw attention to our shared responsibility toward the future,” Müftüoğlu said.

He described Türkiye’s hosting of COP31 as an important opportunity to extend climate awareness to all segments of society, adding that the conference’s emphasis on dialogue, consensus and action aligned with the federation’s efforts to make cycling part of everyday life.

Müftüoğlu said choosing bicycles instead of cars for suitable distances and under safe conditions could help lower transport emissions. He stressed that cycling infrastructure, supportive policies and habits developed during childhood would be crucial to expanding its use.

“Our goal is to carry the enthusiasm generated on Oct. 29 into every day of the year,” he said, calling for collective efforts to build a Türkiye where more people cycle and adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles.

FAKTA

• Who: The Turkish Cycling Federation, with cyclists, clubs, students, families and commuters across Türkiye.
• What: “Türkiye Pedallıyor” (Türkiye Is Pedaling), a nationwide cycling campaign for healthier lifestyles, cleaner transport and climate awareness.
• When: 29 October to 1 November 2026, alongside the 103rd Republic Day.
• Where: All 81 provinces of Türkiye, including a main Istanbul gathering on 31 October from Beşiktaş Square, about 10 kilometres.
• Why it matters: Bicycles produce no tailpipe emissions while ridden, and switching suitable short car trips to cycling can help cut transport emissions.
• What comes next: COP31, the United Nations climate conference, takes place in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026.

Why this matters ahead of COP31

COP31 will bring nearly 200 countries to Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026 to negotiate climate action. Campaigns like this one show how a host country can carry the climate conversation beyond conference halls and into streets, schools and families — the same public whose daily transport choices shape emissions.

Awareness alone does not cut emissions. The federation’s own message makes that point: lasting change needs safe lanes, supportive policies and habits formed young. Without those, a four-day ride remains a celebration. With them, it can become a daily choice.

Read how another awareness campaign took its message door to door: Red Cross Takes Climate Awareness Door to Door in Borno, Nigeria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the “Türkiye Pedallıyor” campaign?
A: It was a nationwide cycling campaign by the Turkish Cycling Federation, held from 29 October to 1 November 2026 across all 81 provinces, promoting healthier lifestyles, cleaner transport and climate awareness.

Q: Why was it linked to Republic Day?
A: The campaign ran alongside Türkiye’s 103rd Republic Day celebrations, using the national occasion to carry a message about shared responsibility for the future to all parts of society.

Q: Who could take part?
A: Everyone, from licensed athletes and cycling club members to students, families, daily commuters and people interested in nature and tourism.

Q: How does cycling help the climate?
A: Bicycles produce no tailpipe emissions while being ridden, and replacing suitable short car journeys with cycling can help reduce transport-related carbon emissions.

Q: What happens next for Türkiye and climate action?
A: Türkiye hosts COP31, the United Nations climate conference, in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026.