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The Municipality of Udine, in collaboration with various local associations and in the presence of the Councilor for Mobility Ivano Marchiol, the Councilor for Sport Chiara Dazzan and the Councilor for Health Stefano Gasparin, today presented “Cycling against loneliness”, a innovative project that aims to promote social inclusion and more sustainable mobility. The initiative, conceived and organized by IO CI VADO APS in collaboration with FIAB aBicitUdine, Circolo Culturale Nuovi Orizzonti, Pro Loco Città di Udine, and with the support of the Autonomous Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, Fondazione Friuli and the Municipality of Udine, intends to offer everyone, especially elderly people and people with disabilities, will have the opportunity to use special bicycles for free, making the city more accessible and liveable for everyone.
In fact, the project includes a first experimental phase in which, until 31 March 2025, special vehicles will be available that can be used “on call”, thanks to the availability of volunteers. In fact, anyone can book a simple bike ride or be accompanied for errands and chores by sitting on one of the nice and comfortable vehicles available.i, pushed by the muscles of the many volunteers (and by the support of pedal assistance) who will act as guides in the city. The bicycles will be available in two strategic points of the city: in Piazza Primo Maggio near the bunker under the hill, therefore close to the center and also to the tourist information point, and at the Circolo Culturale Nuovi Orizzonti ai Rizzi. A service that will therefore cover the center and the northern districts of the city, and within the overall project, also some areas of the neighboring municipalities of Martignacco, Tavagnacco, Pagnacco and Pasian di Prato.
Volunteers from the associations involved will ensure the possibility of walking on wheels. They will be responsible for picking up, accompanying people and returning the bicycles.
To ensure the success of the project there is therefore a need for many “pedalers”. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer and contributing to this important initiative can register by filling out the form available at the following link: link.iocivado.org/volunteers.
The project will be officially launched on 5 July, during the “White Night”, in Piazza Venerio. On this occasion, an information stand will be set up where volunteers from the associations involved will illustrate the service and offer the opportunity to try out the bicycles. Starting July 8, bicycles will be available for free use.
The bicycles made available in the project are specifically designed to meet the needs of those with mobility difficulties but also constitute real green means of transport capable of attracting, due to their characteristics, a much wider audience: from friends ready for a ride and a chat, to the tandem side by side that allows you to pedal together. In Piazza Primo Maggio there will therefore be a Veloplus, an e-bike owned by the Municipality of Udine, designed to transport people in wheelchairs, a Chat Taxi Bike that allows people to converse during the journey, with side-by-side seats for better social interaction and a tricycle called Fun2Go that allows two people to pedal together, sitting next to each other, thus encouraging the sharing of the riding experience.
“This project represents an important step towards a more inclusive city that is attentive to the needs of all citizens. Collaboration between institutions and local associations is the key to the success of initiatives like this,” he declared Ivano Marchiol, Councilor for Mobility of the Municipality of Udine. “By bike against loneliness is an initiative that aims to promote social inclusion by allowing everyone to actively participate in city life, combat loneliness through shared activities and promote sustainable mobility, encouraging the use of ecological and accessible means of transport . We hope for maximum participation from both volunteers and users.”
“The realization of this project is an important milestone for us, the result of a journey that began two years ago, when we decided to become Remoove Test Center and experiment with the use of these special bikes in various areas with the aim of improving life of many people” he explains William Del Negro, president of IO CI VADO APS. “Many entities in Friuli Venezia Giulia, including municipalities, associations, retirement homes and day centres, have already equipped themselves with some inclusive bicycles, thanks also to the commitment of Francesco Favero, vice-president of IO CI VADO APS, occupational therapist and teacher university. In a degree thesis it was demonstrated how constant use of special bikes over time brings benefits to disabled and elderly people on both a physical and psychological level. “By bike against loneliness” is an experimental path which sees, together with IO CI VADO APS, the involvement of the Municipality of Udine as a public partner and three associations: Circolo Culturale Nuovi Orizzonti, FIAB aBicitUdine and Pro Loco Città di Udine. We hope that, thanks to an increasingly large number of volunteers, we will give the opportunity to those with reduced mobility to visit Udine and its surroundings in peace and to many people to leave their homes, get active and experience the city by observing it from a another perspective.”
“Physical activity is a fundamental pillar of physical and mental well-being. Numerous scientific studies have shown that regular exercise, such as that offered by these special bicycles, improves cardiovascular health, increases muscular endurance, and helps maintain a healthy body weight. These benefits are particularly relevant for older adults and people with disabilities, who can often find it difficult to engage in traditional physical activities. The bicycles designed for the “Cycling against loneliness” project are designed to be accessible and comfortable, making physical activity more accessible to everyone,” commented Health Councilor Stefano Gasparin. “In addition to the physical benefits, physical activity has a significant impact on mental health. Physical exercise releases endorphins, the so-called “happy hormones,” which can help reduce stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression. Furthermore, cycling outdoors, exploring the city and interacting with others helps improve mood and reduce feelings of isolation.”
