BEIRUT – Saturday was the day that the municipality of Beirut and the trade association of Hamra Street decided to make a car free event for all people from noon to seven o’clock. The preparations started around 11:30. Any car that was in the street was tolled and removed by the police. In addition, any exits and roads passing Hamra were blocked for any incoming traffic.
President of the Hamra trade association, Zuhair Itani, started the event by talking about the goals of the event and how the idea started.
“Today we want to be active for the environment, sports, and culture in Hamra”, he said.
Beirut by Bike, that owns three branches around Ras Beirut offering bike rentals, and Bike Lebanon are both organisers and fundraisers for the event.
Both clubs set up a bike station in the beginning of Hamra where 500 bikes were being supplied for the public without any charges. Anyone could take a bike, use it for an hour, and return it later by simply providing a photo ID.
The event was popular for many people. As the day progressed, more of the public were joining in on the biking, or just enjoying a stroll down Hamra. People of different age groups and backgrounds were enjoying the fact that Hamra street, which is one of the busiest streets in Beirut, was for once empty of traffic. Different scout members from around Lebanon were there from the beginning of the event.
Starting the beginning of the event, internal security and police forces were spreading units along the different roadblocks and stations to make sure the event goes as safe as possible and no cars get in. Two police officers on bikes were going back and forth Hamra throughout the event.
“It will not be the only event but we plan to repeat this all around Lebanon and in different areas of Beirut”, said Marwan Tarraf, president of Beirut by Bike.
Beirut governor Ziad Chbib was among he group of politicians and city officials commencing the beginning of the fun day of Hamra by Bike.
“We are working gradually with everyone involved, especially with those who planned this day, to create a series of events similar to Hamra by Bike”, said Chbib.
“Our plan is not limited to one day where we have fun riding a bicycle, and it ends just like that. We are planning to create and enhance the culture of using public spaces and areas for walking or biking, which is very weak in Lebanon and especially in Beirut”, he added.
Chbib emphasised during the event that the infrastructure of the city does not encourage people to think of biking as part of their lifestyle, instead of a hobby or a weekend activity. He promised that there are ongoing plans to follow up with more events and create infrastructure (bike lanes and bike rentals) around universities as a start.
According to Chbib, the plan would incorporate expanding those infrastructures in the near future from the area of Horsh Beirut to Damascus Road leading to Martyr’s Square .
Karim Al Amin 