An international project supported by the European Commission is taking bike recycling to a new level and fostering stronger international connections between local bike recycling organisations. The Talking Bikes project is aimed at giving people from different cycling countries opportunities to meet, share information and experiences and build cultural bridges. Language training is a key aspect of the programme, and participants are encouraged to learn each others’ respective tongues.
Tyneside organisation Recyke Y’Bike saves bicycles from landfills, giving them new leases on life. The group also promote cycling as an environmentally-friendly form of transport. As part of the Talking Bikes programme, Four Recyke Y’Bike members recently had the chance to visit, Zlotow, a small town in Poland. While there, they got to travel the town on a guided cycle tour.
Talking Bikes is supported by the European Commission and run as a Grundvig learning partnership project under the Lifelong Learning programme. Participants regularly meet in different parts of Europe in a bid to spread word of cycling, addressing key issues such as why people cycle, what the benefits are and how cycling can be further supported. The activities aim to cultivate dialogue and awareness of cycling, as well as better understanding of the languages and cultures of the people taking part. A primary objective is the recovery, maintenance and support of key cycling skills that risk being lost.
Plans are afoot to bring all of the groups in the project to visit Newcastle in September. In addition to Recyke Y’Bike, which is based in Byker, a central area in Newcastle upon Tyne, another regional organisation takes part. Academy International, a language training company based in Benton, is also engaged in the Talking Bikes project.
|
|
