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Preventing chronic disease in cities starts with identifying and supporting promising solutions to these complex health challenges. Novo Nordisk has driven a range of innovation challenges, and now, Cities for Better Health is continuing this legacy.
The Healthy Cycling Challenge
Addressing health inequities in cities starts with identifying and supporting promising solutions that shape healthy, green and thriving neighbourhoods in urban settings. In April 2025, Cities for Better Health and European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) launched the Health Cycling Challenge, inviting cities and communities to reimagine how cycling can shape healthier and sustainable urban neighbourhoods. The response exceeded expectations. In just six weeks, the challenge drew 243 proposals from 46 countries – nearly triple last year’s turnout. An expert panel shortlisted six finalists and selected three winning projects for their innovation, scalability and potential to make cycling a visible force for healthier, more connected cities.
The winners of this year’s challenge
In São Paulo’s Peinha community, Pedalando Juntas is redefining mobility from the ground up. The resident-led initiative offers free community-shared bicycles to promote movement and connection, especially for women and children travelling to the nearby Pinheiros River park.
Co-created with the local community, the initiative will expand into two additional communities. By increasing safe access to active mobility, Pedalando Juntas supports physical activity, mental well-being and social connection, while empowering women and children to move freely through their city.
“We are very happy to have been selected among so many great and relevant projects around the world!” said Leticia Sabino, Founder and Director of Instituto Caminhabilidade. “We understand the responsibility of creating a truly transformative project and hope it can serve as an example and be replicated in many contexts.”
Pedalea Segro is working to strengthen urban cycling in Peru through data management, legal analysis and community engagement. By implementing tactical urbanism interventions with youth cycling activists and empowering urban youth collectives, the initiative helps build leadership for sustainable, active mobility.
Building on a successful pilot, the Pedalea Seguro will be scaled to three cities – Lima, Tacna and Trujillo – to map cycling infrastructure, design digital dashboards and support local policy improvements.
“This recognition will help us advance sustainable mobility in three Peruvian cities, working hand in hand with cycling collectives to defend the right to a sustainable, human and safe city,” said Carolina Butrich, Conservamos por Naturaleza's Manager, Peruvian Society for Environmental Law.
Pedal Paathshala is a community-based initiative that combines cycling education for women, teachers and students with a school-based library system in marginalised communities in Bharatpur, Chitwan.
Designed to address obesity and promote physical activity among women and children, the project has been implemented in ten schools. Weekly rides and safe cycling trails will help children adopt active habits, while empowering women as cycling instructors to help create a lasting impact for both health and social equity.
“We are very excited to collaborate with students and women of Bharatpur, Chitwan, to cultivate a bicycle culture and create healthier urban neighbourhoods,” said Chakshu Bikram Malla, President of CCNN.
Watch the City Health Talk webinar to meet the winners and learn about their initiatives. The session was co-hosted by Jo Jewell, Director of Cities for Better Health, and Laurianne Krid, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation.
Healthy Cycling Challenge Winner - Pedalea Seguro - Peru
Healthy Cycling Challenge Winner - Pedal Paathshala - Nepal
Healthy Cycling Challenge Winner - Pedalando Juntas - Brazil
Copenhagen, Denmark
A shared journey
This challenge marks the fourth in a growing series of innovation challenges from Cities for Better Health and global partners. Previous editions have tackled:
Healthy food with EAT: Meet the winners of the Healthy Food Challenge
Childhood well-being with UNICEF: Meet the winners of the Healthy Childhood Challenge
Urban neighbourhood health with C40 Cities: Finalists announced for the Healthy Cities Challenge
