EuroVelo 8 İzmir Bisiklet Rotası

About EuroVelo 8 İzmir Bisiklet Rotası

The İzmir section of EuroVelo 8, the Mediterranean Route of the European cycle route network, is a coastal cycle touring route of about 500 km. It runs from Dikili in the north to the ancient city of Ephesus at Selçuk in the south, linking Pergamon and Ephesus with other ancient sites along the way. The route İzmir Metropolitan Municipality applied to join the EuroVelo network in 2016, and the European Cyclists' Federation approved the İzmir extension in October 2019. According to the municipality, the route passes Dikili, Bergama, Aliağa, Foça, central İzmir, Balıklıova, Alaçatı and Sığacık before reaching Selçuk. EuroVelo says it extends the Ephesus - Mimas cycle route northwards and connects to the ferry ports of Dikili and Çeşme, for the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios. Signs and services The municipality has placed direction signs at 650 points and 58 information boards along the route, and in 2020 installed free repair stations and bicycle pumps at 33 points, roughly every 15 km. In 2023 it renewed 400 direction signs, 5 information boards and 110 posts. Planning a ride EuroVelo advises that conditions vary between sections and recommends carrying a map or navigation app, as signs can be damaged. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism runs a cycling portal with İzmir route details and a scheme certifying bicycle friendly accommodation. In central İzmir the BİSİM bike share scheme offers bikes for shorter rides.