Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
International Rize Trade and Economy Summit and Congress, Rize, Türkiye, 22 - 23 Ekim 2025, cilt.9798896952404, ss.62-77, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
Today, sustainable transportation strategies are becoming increasingly important in terms of reducing carbon emissions, ensuring economic efficiency, and promoting healthy lifestyles. In this context, bicycle paths stand out as one of the most tangible instruments of green transition policies. Bicycle paths not only reduce the environmental impacts of transportation but also offer an infrastructure solution that enhances urban quality of life, lowers economic costs, and supports healthy living practices. The case of Rize is noteworthy in this regard. Although there is an existing bicycle path along the coastal area of the city, this route is mostly used for short-distance and recreational purposes, and due to geographical conditions, steep slopes, heavy traffic, and a rainy climate, it is not preferred as a means of transportation. In this study, the current state of Rize’s bicycle path infrastructure was evaluated through on-site observations, and its potential was analyzed through short interviews with experts in transportation, urban planning, and environmental fields. The findings indicate that the current route has a low usage rate; however, if an integrated network is developed along the coastline, new routes are planned between the university and the city center, and issues of safety and continuity are addressed, bicycle paths could provide significant environmental and economic benefits. Expert opinions emphasize that the coastal corridor is particularly suitable for a continuous bicycle path and that small-scale pilot implementations would increase public acceptance. In conclusion, the case of Rize demonstrates that investments in bicycle paths are not limited to physical infrastructure; factors such as climatic conditions, urban planning, safety, and social acceptance must also be taken into account. In this respect, the study contributes to the development of applicable policy recommendations for small-scale cities within the framework of the green transition. Based on the findings, it is recommended to establish continuous routes along the coastline, design a pilot path connecting the university and the city center, and strengthen public awareness activities to increase the effective use of bicycle paths in Rize.
Keywords: Sustainable transportation, Bicycle path, Green transformation, Rize, Urban planning