Dutch Cyclist Declares Plan to Visit Northern Cyprus; Citizens Warn of Unsafe Roads

Bart Alta, a 21-year-old cyclist, had previously taken a break in Turkey’s Demirci district, during his journey, which began with the goal of discovering the world by bike. Entering Turkey through Edirne, he has pedaled through countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Greece. After being captivated by Turkey’s beauty, Alta plans to conclude his tour in Northern Cyprus via Mersin.

Social Media Reactions: "Don’t Come!"

While Alta’s choice to make TRNC his final stop gained attention on social media, the comments raised concerns. Many pointed out that the roads in the region are unsafe, with remarks like “Don’t come, the roads are bad, and everyone lives here by chance,” and “God save you, don’t come or you’ll regret it.”

Recent Accidents Highlight Risks

The concerns are not baseless, as last week’s traffic accidents in TRNC resulted in a heavy toll. According to a statement from the Police Press Officer, there were 82 accidents across the country, with 2 fatalities, 28 injuries, and 60 incidents of property damage. Since the beginning of the year, 32 people have lost their lives in road accidents.

Comments from Social Media

Several social media users voiced their worries in a mix of ironic and serious tones:

• “Don’t come, the roads are terrible, and you could lose your life. No suitable roads for cycling here.”
• “God save you.”
• “No water, no electricity, no roads, no healthcare, no education. You’ll die in an accident, and nobody will care.”
• “Make sure you have life insurance before coming.”
• “Don’t come, it’s better for your own good.”
• “Think twice before coming to TRNC.”
• “You’ll change your mind when you see the roads. Hopefully, you won’t get run over.”