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Beirut Bikeathon 2014 marked a major success on Sunday October 5, 2014, a success that resounded not in only in Beirut but in all of Lebanon.Bikeathon is a national initiative launched by Green Mind NGO for the 5th time in Lebanon and for the 2nd time in Beirut and organized for the first time in partnership with Bikeنانبل NGO, encouraging thousands of sportlovers, companies, organizations, families, and eco-supporters to join a public ride, bike for a cause, and support the conversion to a more eco-friendly form of transportation: Cycling. And the theme of this year'sevent was "Bike for the creation of safe cycling lanes in the city".
The Beirut Bikeathon starting point was the Beirut Waterfront where more than 2,800 bikers joined in with their free previously booked bikes or their own bikes to participate in this long awaited event. The Beirut Bikeathon, that is a ride and not a race, consisted of two main tracks: one of 11.1 KM and one of 17.4 KM that covered most of Beirut areas. The Bikeathon event was an "open ride" which means that no roads were closed in the city! Fortunately, and with the support of 400 security and organizing agents distributed over the two tracks, the bikers passed by smoothly, proving that bicycles and cars can indeed co-exist.
"Our objective for the big environmental and sporting event was to bike in call for the creation of cycling lanes in the city, starting with the city of Beirut" said Mrs. Nada Zaarour, President of Green Mind NGO. "More than 2,800 bikers from all over Lebanon joined us with a great passion and enthusiasm to bike, which showed us that indeed, when provided with the opportunity, the Lebanese people love hit the roads with their bikes!"
The Beirut Bikeathon event was covered and broadcasted Live on LBCI TV channel for one hour and half on Sunday morning, and comprised as well the "Nharkom Sa'eed" program that took place Live on the Beirut Bikeathon stage, with the presence of the Minister of Tourism H.E Mr. Michel Faraon and Mayor of Beirut Dr. Bilal Hamad. Many national figures attended the event as well, namely Mrs. Lama Salam, spouse of Prime Minister of Lebanon H.E. Mr. Tammam Salam, and groups of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces.
