Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA – A large group of people went on a bike tour in Damascus earlier on Friday in the framework of an initiative aimed at promoting bike riding to reduce the rising burden of heavy traffic.
The initiative started unofficially almost a year ago by a team of volunteer young men and women who rely on bicycles for transportation, a means they believe helps reduce the increasing daily life burdens caused by the crisis in the country, which have been further compounded by the heavy traffic clogging city streets, most notably in Damascus.
Since the onset of the crisis and the terrorist war waged against Syria in 2011, mainly displacement movement from hot-spot areas to safer areas and the blocking of certain streets for security reasons have caused road traffic congestion.
The volunteers have sought to vitalize the use of bicycles as a healthy and environment-friendly transportation method that could be a very helpful alternative to the other transport means, many of which have turned into a burden in light of the current circumstances.
Two months ago, the initiative was embraced by the Syrian Enterprise and Business Center (SEBC), henceforth it can carry out its activities officially.
The cyclists took routes in the main neighborhoods in Damascus city, passed Mezzeh highway and around al-Umawyeen Square and finished the tour at al- Marjeh Square.
Contests were held as part of the tour through which best couple cyclists, best bicycle, youngest rider and eldest rider were nominated.
The brass band played music throughout the tour, cheered by a the crowd who gathered at every stop by the participants who amounted to more than 500.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3gpD6LY-84
Haifa Said