15 March 2010 / KAYBER AVCI , MUĞLA
From children to the elderly, many people in Ula, a town in Muğla province, prefer bicycles to other forms of transport, Ula Mayor Nadi Şenkal has said.
Speaking to Today’s Zaman on Tuesday, Mayor Şenkal said there are some 5,000 bicycles in the town, which has a population of around 5,270. “Ula’s topography is quite different from other parts of Turkey. It’s a very flat city, so riding a bike here is easy. There are also approximately 500 motor vehicles in Ula,” Şenkal noted, adding that this small place suffers no traffic congestion.The town’s mayor also said riding bicycles is beneficial to people’s health. Noting that the town organizes bicycle races every summer, Şenkal said all age groups, from children to the elderly, take part in these competitions. Şinasi Tekin, a local merchant, said he has been riding a bicycle for many years. “Riding a bike is the formula for long life. It is of great benefit to people’s health. Bicycles need no fuel and are better than vehicles that run on gas. I advise everyone to ride a bicycle,” Tekin said.
