Ecotopia Biketour is an initiative started in 1990 by a group of environmental activists from Scandinavia. The ride lasts several months and each year the route takes you through a different region of Europe. The aim is to raise public awareness of the problem of environmental pollution and to promote the idea of environmentally friendly travel. This is the second time riders have crossed the Baltic States since the start of the cycle ride.
Annemarie Hansen, a Belgian participant in the bike tour, said: "Over time, our movement grew into a kind of community of like-minded people from more than 20 countries. We spend our summers together, cycling around and exploring different countries."
Annemarie joined the movement four years ago and has so far cycled with like-minded people in Spain, the Benelux and the Balkans. Participation in these cycling trips is voluntary and free of charge, and any participant can join the rest of the group or end the trip at any of the stopping points.
An additional objective of this year's ride is to help the host party with its daily chores at each of the intermediate finishes. Liepaja was no exception, where the participants got down to fixing other people's bikes.
Most riders devote 20 to 30 days for the trip. This year, the journey started in June in Turku, Finland. Of those who set off first, there are now none left. Only 12 people arrived in Liepāja late on Tuesday evening, although at one point in mid-July, the number of riders passing through Estonia reached 50. In total, nearly 80 people from 20 countries are taking part in this year's ride.
