A bicycle tour was organized as part of the July 15 events.

In the event, organized in collaboration with the July 15th Association and the Turkish Bicycle Federation, athletes, who set off with the slogan "Pedal for Brotherhood," started in front of the Atatürk Cultural Center. The tour began with a signal from Istanbul Governor Davut Gül. Following the route of Harbiye, Nişantaşı, Mecidiyeköy, and Zincirlikuyu, the group crossed the July 15th Martyrs' Bridge and concluded in front of the July 15th Memory Museum. At the end of the event, the Quran was recited and prayers were said.

'IT'S PURPOSE IS TO KEEP THE SPIRIT OF JULY 15 ALIVE'

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül said, “Various events are being held throughout Istanbul for the July 15th commemoration week. Coordinated by the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, the July 15th Association and various cycling associations will participate in an approximately hour-long event that will also include a Bosphorus crossing. The aim of this event is to keep the spirit of July 15th alive. July 15th has both a commemoration and a celebration. The commemoration is about our 253 martyrs. The celebration is about this nation rescuing the state from the brink of collapse. Events are being held to ensure this enthusiasm is shared by people of all ages. I thank our athletes and the institutions that contributed.”

"WE CAME TOGETHER TO REMEMBER JULY 15TH"

Faruk Meto, who participated in the bike tour, said, "We experienced a very bad night. Thanks to the superior foresight of this nation, we got through it. God willing, we will never experience those days again. I've been participating in and organizing bike tours for 15 years. Better days await Türkiye. The PKK incidents are ending, thank God."

Mehmet Serkan Özten said, "We came together to remember July 15th. I hope our country never experiences such an event again. I'm very emotional, very excited. I always attend when I hear about it. I'll come again when something like this happens."

'WE JOINED SO THAT OUR CHILDREN COULD SEE'

Hüseyin Aydın, who attended the event with his children, said, "First and foremost, we attended this event in memory of the July 15th martyrs. We wanted our children to experience the cycling event. We crossed the bridge. This event was a memory for both us and the children. We especially wanted to contribute to the future for the children. We were a little excited. Since our child is six years old, we were very careful. Twelve of us came with the Nişancı Group team. It went well."

'THEY FIGHTED FOR US'

Muhammed Eren Aydın, who attended the event with his father and brother, said, "We came here to commemorate the July 15th martyrs. I congratulate them. They saved our country and fought for us. We came here to congratulate them. We crossed the bridge. I helped my brother. He was six years old, so he had a hard time at some points. I supported him."

'MY BROTHER, MARTYR KEMAL EKŞİ, WAS MARTYRED ON THE BRIDGE THAT NIGHT'

Hüseyin Ekşi, whose brother was martyred on the night of July 15th, said, "My brother, martyr Kemal Ekşi, was martyred on the bridge on the night of July 15th. He gave his life for his country. I came here to cycle for him. I am proud of him for being a martyr. I hope I will have the same opportunity."

DHA

Reporter: News Center