Sustainable Innovation: Karasu’s Now It’s Time to Bike Initiative
One of the landmark sustainable innovations in the past decade is Karasu’s campaign to make bicycles its primary form of transportation.
Nesting on the Black Sea, near Istanbul and Ankara, the Turkish town of Karasu is a popular local and international holiday destination. Karasu is well known for its beautiful scenery and great beaches — the second longest in Turkey, stretching 20 kilometers and two sections bearing the “Blue Flag” certificate for high environmental standards.
With a population of around 70,000 in the winter, it grows to nearly 1,000,000 in the summer months, transforming Karasu. “When I think about this area that welcomes so many people. I think about the chaos caused by the increase in motor traffic. It is important to plan a more sustainable form of transportation,” says Abdulkadir Özden, assistant professor at Sakarya University of Science.
To create more spaces for pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders in Karasu, the city has partnered with Sakarya University of Science and Technology on a green mobility project. The main objective of this project is to increase local micromobility roads and develop car-free environments, especially in areas such as schools, parks, and sports fields.
Although the river cycle path was built a few years ago — and quickly became popular with locals and tourists alike — it was discontinued in the central area of Karasu.
Unique Cycling Culture
“There is a unique cycling culture in the Sakarya region: studies have shown that people of all ages use their bikes more every day than in other regions of Turkey. However, there is no connection between the river cycle path and the city center,” Özden said.
Progress has been made to improve connectivity, with two separate one-kilometer paths becoming dedicated cycle paths connecting the city center and the coast. Improvements to existing cycle road infrastructure, helping to improve visibility and safety, have also been made.
In addition, the city has also installed a parking lot, a bike repair center, and a bike rest area to improve the cycling experience and make cycling in Karasu safer.
Lastly, Karasu is considering integrating electric scooter infrastructure, such as docks and charging stations, into its existing cycling network. Moreover, it is contemplating offering an e-scooter rental shared mobility service.
As a result, its residents have developed an interest in private electric scooters like the Flash Motors Infinity X hyperscooter. Infinity X blows the competition out of the water with its top speed of 75 mph and mileage of 70 miles.
