EMBARQ Turkey awarded for BikeLab Istanbul
From left to right: Director Arzu Tekir, Transport Engineer Celal Tolga Imamoglu, and Urban Planner Cigdem Cörek represented EMBARQ Turkey at the Turkish Public Health Association Awards. Photo by EMBARQ Turkey.
EMBARQ Turkey was awarded the “Public Transportation and Public Health Award” in the Environment category from the Turkish Public Health Association. The award recognizes EMBARQ Turkey for its non-motorized transport project BikeLab Istanbul.
The award underscores the noteworthy impacts EMBARQ Turkey catalyzes on the ground in terms of sustainable transport, traffic safety, accessibility, and non-motorized transport. In light of the positive health benefits of sustainable transport – including mass transport as well as bicycling and walking – EMBARQ Turkey’s mission to help catalyze and implement sustainable transport solutions is securely in line with the goals of the Turkish Public Health Association.
The awards were given at a ceremony in Istanbul on December 19, 2013 for 14 different categories. Awardees included Hurriyet Newspaper, Yapı Kredi Bank, and LOSEV (Foundation for Children with Leukemia). Director Arzu Tekir accepted on behalf of EMBARQ Turkey, receiving the award from Mr. Tolga Kunt, a member of the Association’s Executive Board. Founded in 1968, the Turkish Public Health Association is one of the most respected non-governmental organizations in Turkey. It is dedicated to improving public health in the country, and is also recognized for its significant research contributions to the global public health community.
BikeLab Istanbul builds Turkey’s cycling culture
BikeLab Istanbul launched in December 2012 with the support of the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the goal of making Istanbul a more bike-friendly city. Since its launch, the project has convened Dutch and Turkish experts in the fields cycling, urban planning, and public health to come up with innovative solutions that foster cycling as mode of transport. Measures to increase the popularity of cycling have ranged from promoting cycling in mainstream media to improving the design and safety of city bike lanes. BikeLab Istanbul is credited with contributing to improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) and local air pollutant emissions, better traffic safety, and increased physical activity, all of which benefit public health while providing a sustainable solution to traffic congestion in Istanbul.
Since 2012, the BikeLab project has expanded to five additional Turkish cities – Antalya, Sakarya, Eskişehir, Konya, and Kayseri – working with local governments to expand cycling infrastructure and improve bike safety. EMBARQ Turkey also partnered with the Istanbul Technical University to lead CampusLab, a university-oriented version of BikeLab. EMBARQ Turkey will continue hold workshops that address the range of challenges and opportunities that cities face as they look to build cycling culture, including urban design, traffic safety, and economic impacts.
To see pictures from the award ceremony, visit our photoset on Flickr.