From Bari to Bogotá, Cycle for Better Health is building healthier communities through cycling. In partnership with BYCS and local organisations, we’re helping children discover freedom, fun and lifelong habits of movement.
A multi-city push to break down barriers to cycling is picking up speed. Bari, Italy, is the latest city to initiate Cycle for Better Health, a programme from Cities for Better Health and BYCS to help underserved children stay active and healthy.
Cycle for Better Health improves access to bicycles and introduces safe cycling to children aged 6 to 12 in vulnerable communities. The programme in Bari is hosting workshops for schools in the San Paolo, Libertà and San Nicola districts, teaching vital skills and building a new generation of enthusiastic young riders. The sessions go beyond teaching balance and braking – they build confidence, encourage daily movement and open up new possibilities for children and their families.
In Bari, local partner Terreno Cycling Therapy is leveraging its experience running cycling stimulation programmes and regular women's bike ride events. The Cycle for Better Health workshops aim to enrol 500 to 750 children in the programme. A Girls on Bike Bootcamp will follow soon.
Cycle for Better Health in Bari is working to promote of cycling as a viable mode of transportation for school commutes, social interactions and errands. By doing so, the programme strives to enhance children’s physical activity levels and instil healthier habits that will last a lifetime.
Bari joins Bogotá, Colombia, and Bratislava, Slovakia, in the Cycle for Better Health programme, which is adapted in each city to meet local needs.
Bogatà's first pilot phase ran from September to December 2024 and delivered striking results. Over 90% of participants raised their awareness of the health benefits of cycling, and more than 85% of those who had never ridden before picked up basic skills.
Beyond technical skills, the programme made cycling part of everyday life: More than 75% of children reported cycling more often, over 95% said they enjoyed it, and 80% planned to keep riding. Every single participant expressed positive feelings toward cycling, and 90% said they were excited to continue.
A bike donation campaign successfully bridged a significant gap, as 70% of the participants initially lacked their own bicycles. The project’s success was attributed to several key factors, including games, humour, hands-on teaching and peer support.
Fundación Mamacitas en Bici, the local partner, sees strong potential for future expansion to reach even more communities.
In Bratislava, local partners Cyklokoalícia, Ulitá and Cyklokuchyňa kicked off the programme in December 2024 with workshops that mix bike skills training, bike repair basics, and community rides like Kidical Mass.
The initiative offers two tracks: longer cycling courses integrated into school curricula and shorter, focused workshops through NGOs. Both are designed to build skills, confidence and community spirit among young riders.
Cities for Better Health and BYCS will host a workshop on the Cycle for Better Health programme at the Velo-city Conference in Gdańsk, Poland, from 10–13 June 2025. Organised by the European Cyclists' Federation, the conference is a leading global platform for sharing ideas and innovations in cycling. [Learn more about the conference here.]
