Job Discussion Forums

dejmito · Joined: 22 May 2011 Posts: 6

How bad is it? I'm not opposed to bad conditions, but I wonder if it's worth the hassle to bring the bike with me. Did a search, but only came up with some older hi-jacked threads. Is it worth it?

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

How lethal would you like it to be? Take a look at the traffic webcams...

http://tkm.ibb.gov.tr/yoldurumu/kameralar.aspx

I am scared just watching. Note especially the roads by the Bosphorous. And the approaches to the bosphorous bridges are always a bundle of fun, although that is motorway so you can't cycle there any way.

There do actually appear to be some cyclists in istanbul, though, according to this...

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/11/bike-riding-in-istanbul.php

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=small-bike-shop-cultivates-cycling-culture-in-istanbul-2010-03-07

dejmito · Joined: 22 May 2011 Posts: 6

Where Cyclists Dare! Excellent. I mean, I'm not looking for anything awful, I was just being optimistic about the possibility of riding to work (in Levent). I like my bike, and I'd like to keep it, but if it's really terrible, I'll have to sell Crying or Very sad

Any other advice/opinions out there?

jamessmart50 · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 91 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

I cycle here. It's ok but remember Istanbul is quite hilly. I often use pavements. The drivers are really not as bad as people make out I think, there are lots of moped/motorbike drivers so I think that people do look out. What gets me is that there are a lot of taxis and they'll pull over, and the passegers will tend open the door without looking behind them. That's all, I haven't had a fall yet...also, there's a cycle group called Critical Mass who meet up on the last saturday of every month in I think Gulhane park on the asian side.

Yaz · Joined: 21 May 2011 Posts: 4

Try going to a good bike shop. When I bought my bike they had lots of info on where to bike and what groups meet when.

Sahil yolu on the Asian side has miles of flat coastal bike paths. The islands also are good for biking as there are no cars.

dejmito · Joined: 22 May 2011 Posts: 6

Thanks a lot guys. Are there bike shops around? I'm living in Prague right now, where every third store front is a mountain bike/outdoor sports shop.

jamessmart50 · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 91 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

There are some shops around, and there's a Decathlon out by the otogar

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

There's a huge bicycle bazaar in Fatih. Take a bus from Taksim to Yenikapi. Takes about 10 minutes - you pass right through it. It's under (built into) the overpass.