The B-Track-B campaign in Portugal has being going from strength to strength in its efforts to promote cycling. A new initiative focused on raising awareness in public schools was launched last month to great success. It aims to get students thinking about how they can use cycling as both a means of recreation and transport.  

Areal, B-Track-B’s partner organisation in Portugal, managed to engage four public schools; three from Quarteira and one from Almancil. Together, this resulted in 30 classes and 600 students in total actively taking part. The approach of the campaign differed from school to school but they all had in common the goal of encouraging school children to take up cycling more regularly. In Almancil, Areal worked in conjunction with the physical education teacher to teach students how to cycle and how to keep safe on the roads. This proved very effective in boosting their confidence to take part.

The campaign is far from over with Areal planning many more activities to get public schools involved cycling.

If you are inspired by projects like this one to start something of your own, please get in contact with Henk Hendriks (Project Manager for B-Track-B, h.hendriks@ecf.com) and get started!