According to World Health Organization (WHO) children and youngsters aged 5–17 years old should accumulate at least 1h of moderate to vigorous physical activity on a daily basis, while adults aged 18–64 years should do at least 75 minutes throughout the week. Promoting cycling as an alternative to short car trips under 5 km can contribute to this healthy lifestyle in order to meet the WHO recommendations, and at the same time reduce the economic costs for society as well as the impact in the environment of the excessive motorization of European cities. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target 11.2 aims to provide access to sustainable and safe transport systems, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons. For this reason the WHO has proposed a number of actions to promote physically active transport modes such as walking and cycling. Moreover the European Commission has acknowledged that EU transport policy should aim at ensuring sustainable mobility for all citizens by “decarbonising” transport; In its 2011 Transport White Paper recognised that in urban areas, walking and cycling, together with public transport, often provide better alternatives not only in terms of emissions, but also of speed, and in 2015, the EU ministers of transport adopted a declaration on cycling as a climate friendly transport mode. However, the perceived road safety risks remain an obstacle for many potential cyclists to chose cycling as an alternative to the car mode of transport. Fatalities involving cyclists made up 8% of the total number of road accident fatalities in 2018 in the 28 EU countries counting 2.160 people killed in road crashes. Cycle incidents are a common cause of physical injury and death in children and adolescents as well, constituting the most vulnerable group of road users, since traffic fatalities is the first cause of death for the ages 5-29. While further integration of cycling into transport policy, by giving more attention to increased road safety and encouraging cities to adopt Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPS) which address active transport, is the way to establish a cycling culture and reduce cycle-related injuries, educational interventions is also an important strategy. However, the way Traffic Safety and Mobility Education is provided in European Schools differs widely across Europe. Traffic safety is not a dedicated lesson in primary and secondary education for the majority of member states, while cycling tests (i.e. ensuring that every student knows how to safely ride a bicycle after finishing school) are not mandatory for most countries. This explains the inconsistency on knowledge, skills and safe behaviours among road users across Europe concerning cycling which is also reflected into modal share choice as well as in injuries and fatalities statistics. In this context 6 organizations from 6 European countries join forces in order to improve traffic safety and mobility education on safe cycling by exchanging experiences and good practices through 2 train-the-trainers Seminars in Norway and Netherlands: the Greek Road Safety Institute "Panos Mylonas" (coordinator), the Norwegian Council for Road Safety (Trygg Trafikk), Stichting Responsible Young Drivers Nederland (RYD NL), the Icelandic Brautin, the Romanian Association For Youth And Students In Partium and the Irish Trinity College of Dublin. The trainers will later implement 2 training activities for Young people (members of Youth and Sports clubs, cycling and voluntary organizations etc.) that will be organized in Greece and Romania. The workshop aims to provide young people a holistic approach training on safe cycling skills as well as information on European policy issues and capacity training for the development of road safety awareness and advocacy campaigns for the promotion of safe cycling in their countries. 1. Safe Cycling training: with the support of road safety and cycling simulators 2. Cultural Cycling: on site, practical training on vehicle dynamics and basic cycling skills while exploring he culture of an urban city by cycling in safety. 3. Research on Cyclists behaviour: observational studies on helmet use and distraction while cycling 4. Making an Awareness Campaign: Using the knowledge and research insights young people will implement a Road Safety campaign for the promotion of safe cycling in their countries. Cycling In Safety (CIS) aims to be the first step for bridging the gap between North and South in terms of promoting a cycling culture as well as cycling education for young people. The project outcomes, as well as the trainings will serve as the first material for the development and implementation of a Road Safety Educational Programme on safe cycling using state of the art methodologies and educational techniques that could be further elaborated and disseminated through a KA2 project.
-Develop and improve young people's skills through training and experiential learning. -Foster social skills, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities among young people, especially those belonging to vulnerable social groups -Promote a sustainable and healthy lifestyle that considers climate, urban environment, and the safety of other road users. -Enhance relevant competencies and skills focused on socio-educational and personal development, as well as active participation in social and civic life. -Cultivate young people's responsibility in their local urban areas, instilling attitudes and motivations towards risk awareness, personal safety, and the safety of others, contributing to a safety-minded culture. -Promote cycling culture, traffic safety, and awareness activities among youth, while sensitizing them to social responsibility as multipliers in their communities. -Ensure social inclusion by designing activities for young people from all areas, regardless of their special needs or circumstances. -Facilitate transnational exchanges and interactions among young Europeans, providing them with the opportunity to share ideas, opinions, and common values despite cultural differences.
The decision to apply for the CiS project was driven by the pressing needs and opportunities in the European context. Encouraging cycling as an alternative to short car trips can promote a healthy lifestyle, meet WHO recommendations for physical activity,and reduce economic costs and environmental impact. Aligned with the UN SDG 11.2, the project aims to provide sustainable and safe transport systems, focusing on vulnerable groups.Children and adolescents, in particular, are vulnerable road users, with traffic fatalities ranking as the leading cause of death for individuals aged 5-29. However, perceived road safety risks deter potential cyclists, leading to fatalities and injuries. Inconsistent traffic safety education in European schools contributes to knowledge gaps and disparities.Traffic safety is not consistently taught as a dedicated lesson in primary and secondary education, and cycling tests are not mandatory in most countries. This lack of standardized education contributes to disparities in modal choice, as well as injury and fatality statistics. The project brings together six organizations to enhance traffic safety and cycling education, bridging the gap between regions and promoting a cycling culture for young people.