MOVE Week 2013 offers some great ideas from a pool of 1,000 events in 32 countries of Europe. Cycling is indispensable to achieve the goal of making 100 million Europeans more physically active by 2020.  A project of  Social Mobility in Italy provides bikes to refugees showing that cycling can be used as a means of leveraging not only a healthier lifestyle but also a better society. 

Social Mobility is a project carried out by the Sports Association “Ancona Social Club” and the Protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (SPRAR ) on the occasion of MOVE Week 2013. This event has a special meaning in the light of the recent tragedy in Lampedusa which triggered multiple social reactions. Italy finally seems to reflect on the question of migration flows and the opening of a substantial humanitarian corridor for European asylum seekers. The organizers believe that now is the most appropriate time to act and reiterate that there are economical, creative and substantial ways of acceptance and inclusion. Cycling is one of them.

From ideas to actions: Setting examples for others to follow

The project has the objective to involve the local community of Ancona in the restoration of bicycles which will be given to 35 asylum seekers admitted in the seven departments of PRAR (managed by GUS - Group Human Solidarity). From 7^th until 11^th October a social workshop in the Social Club of Ancona brings life to the bikes which will be put in circulation on Saturday 12^th October in a bicycle ride towards Piazza Roma in the downtown part of the city.

The idea behind this project stems from the belief than “movement” is a concept with many different meanings and interpretations. In the case of refugees, there is the macro movement of fleeing from one country to another in search of a better future and then there is the micro movement within urban areas for covering different needs related to work or leisure. After a long and hard journey, many immigrants find themselves unable to perform everyday tasks and therefore fully integrate in the city they have settled in due to the lack of a means of transport –among other factors-. Festus, a young man from Nigeria who will be the recipient of one of the repaired bikes says: “it is a great project. I especially liked the people I met here because they treated me like a brother. I use the bike to move in town and to meet people.”

Moving as a form of independence

 Cycling is indispensable in the battle for social inclusion. Not only it provides freedom of movement; it also creates work and socialization opportunities. Being able to repair a bike should not be underestimated as a skill either. As Sikandar from Pakistan points out: “This also important for us because after this week can look for a job as mechanics”. He also adds that he will share his bike with his housemates so that everyone can have the chance to enjoy the benefits.

In the end, the idea promotes social integration for these people and the beginning of a new, healthy relationship with their new home; they will be able to explore the city, meet new people, have more opportunities to work and be independent. All this while promoting sustainability and respecting the already aggravated urban environment. This idea is as simple as revolutionary in its multidimensional scope. Giving a bike equals to giving a fair chance for a better future.

 For more information about MOVE Week, please visit nowwemove.com or contact Elina Baltatzi at e.baltatziMoveWeek@ecf.com or Telephone: +32 028085 876

About the author

Elina Baltatzi is the Communications Assistant for NowWeMove Campaign. She worked as a journalist in Greece and studied European Politics in Belgium. Recently she learned to bike in the city and she will not stop any time soon.