Cycling in Safety

Background 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. Objectives -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. Implementation Coordination, planning and communication between partners. Phase 1 (Sep 2020 - Apr 2021): -Transnational meeting in Greece to review work plan and distribute tasks. -Compilation of good practices in each country regarding road safety and VRU training. -Contacting collaborating entities for knowledge exchange and dissemination. -Two "train the trainers" events to develop new training methods. -Selection process for young participants. Phase 2 (Apr 2021 - Jul 2021): -Two combined youth mobility events for training and awareness. -Transnational follow-up meeting in Iceland to evaluate progress and plan tasks. -Evaluation of results and impact measurement. -Work on final report of conclusions and results. -Closure project meeting in Ireland for evaluation and sustainability planning. Achievements Road Safety Actions, Practices, and Documentation: Creation of a 5-day training program empowering youth to make wiser choices in everyday life, improving knowledge on cycling, sustainable living, road safety, and more. Development of a series of good practices and educational tools with the support of all partners. Staff & Youth Training Activities: Implementation of training activities based on a whole school approach, including curriculum integration, partnerships, and organizational strategies. Design of professional development programs and innovative curricula by experienced partners. Research on Road Users' Behavior: a survey for studying cyclists' behavior during youth training activities. Youth Networking and Cooperation: Involvement of a significant number of young people from various organizations, such as youth clubs, cycling clubs, universities, and schools. Awareness Campaign: Implementation of a road safety campaign by young people based on knowledge and research insights. These outputs and results aim to improve road safety awareness, promote safe cycling, and empower young people to make informed choices while integrating cycling into their daily lives.