Chairman of Tigris Bicycle Club: It is Important to Raise Sensitive and Healthy Individuals

The city of Diyarbakır is being covered by bicycle lanes to encourage cycling. We interviewed Ali Alioğlu from Tigris Bicycle Club.

What is Tigris? How was the Club founded?

Tigris is the old name of Dicle River. Tigris Bicycle Club is a platform which aims to raise social awareness by implementing social responsibility projects. There are many activists in the club and there are a wide range of activities, particularly focused on sports, health, environment and disabilities.

How did the club become related with disability? How was the process?

We have always had social awareness and sensitivity. I am a teacher and I worked with children with autism in the first years of my career. I knew they needed to become more socialized; they needed to be engaged with sports. That’s why; we decided to establish the club. We both professionally trained sports-people and provided social benefit.

How do you think Tigris contributes to the city?

We raise awareness on cyclers and pedestrians in the city traffic. People find a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We are the best psychologists for ourselves. We hit the road all together. Discovering, sharing experiences, many different people together, touching a butterfly, smelling flowers, sharing food… We are recovered…