About 500 refugees from the civil war in Syria have transitted Russia into Norway. It is something like a cold back door into Europe and the Schengen zone.
Since this summer, the Borisoglebsk border crossing, at the top of Russia and Norway, has seen about 100 asylum seekers crossing the border each month (migrants often fly from Syria to Moscow, then take a train or flight to Murmansk).
Of late, many refugees have been traversing the last several kilometers on bicycles, because Norwegian police are reportedly punishing drivers who transport undocumented persons across the border, and, according to Russian regulations, Borisoglebsk may not be traversed on foot. That leaves bicycles as the most viable transit option.
As a result over 300 bicycles have been left behind in local Norwegian parking lots and garages. According to BarentsObserver.com, refugee centers have asked to be donated the bikes for refugees’ use, but the police have so far denied the request, saying the Russian bikes do not meet Norwegian safety standards.
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