‘Train’ of bicycles that takes children to school recognized by WHO
A project that takes children to school in Lisbon’s Parque das Nações in a bicycle convoy has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the Portuguese example of promoting physical activity, the Parish Council announced.
The Orient Express Cycle project was created more than three years ago when João Bernardino’s son entered school.
João Bernardino, who works in the area of mobility, aimed at promoting sustainable mobility and getting children to school in sustainable and healthy modes of transportation.
“At the time, I talked to some local partners, the Parish Council, the Parents Association of the Basic School of the Park of Nations and launched the Express Cycle. cycling to school, “said the founder of the project.
Since then, every Friday a “train” is organized, departing at 8:30 am from the Crows’ Hall and has a defined route in which the children can enter at the beginning or along the way, until they reach the Basic School of Parque das Nações, about 15 minutes later.
“It is normal to have between 10 and 15 children, ranging from five years old, in pre-school, up to 10 years old, and some parents.” The rule that we have put forward is to be at least an adult to four children, “he explained.
According to João Bernardino, the course is safe, but conditions can improve.
“There is a bike path in some parts of the route, in others not yet. There is a part of the route in which we go on a ride, which is a wide ride but a ride, and there is another part of the route that we are going on the road, neighborhood that is safe enough to do so, “he said.
The Oriente Expresso Cycle project was chosen by the WHO magazine as the Portuguese example of promoting physical activity.
“We see this recognition with great satisfaction. It is good to know that we are, in a way, setting an example in an innovative action that we hope can be replicated,” he said.
The initiative has already been replicated in Aveiro, with the creation of the Barrocas Expresso Cycle, a year and a half ago.
In the Parque das Nações this year a father is taking the initiative to make a new train, but in reverse, from the south to the north side, bound for another school in the East of Lisbon.
