HISTORY OF CYCLING IN TÜRKİYE
The history of cycling in Türkiye dates back to the late 19th century, to the era of the Ottoman Empire. The bicycle first appeared in Istanbul in the 1880s, initially as a tool of the upper classes and foreign residents.
The first bicycle clubs were established in Istanbul in the 1890s. The Union of Ottoman Cyclists was founded in 1919. In 1923, the same year the Turkish Republic was founded, the Turkish Cycling Federation was established, making it one of the oldest sports federations in the country.
The Turkish national team competed in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, though they had prepared for but could not attend the 1924 Paris Olympics due to equipment issues. In 1940, the first Balkan Cycling Championships were held, at which the Turkish team won two silver medals.
The Tour of Turkey (now known as the Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye) was first organized in 1963 and has grown into one of the most prestigious races on the international cycling calendar.
In recent decades, cycling has seen a significant resurgence in Türkiye, both as a competitive sport and as a leisure and commuting activity, driven by growing environmental awareness and a global cycling boom.
Soru Sor
