EU Green Capital Valencia will host 2024 edition of European Urban Resilience Forum
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
The municipality wants to teach young children how to ride a bike from an early age
On 10 May, the Danish Municipality of Aalborg shared that some of its kindergartens will now receive second-hand bicycles for free. This initiative is the result of a collaboration between the “Children’s Lives in Healthy Balance” project and the second-hand shop GPS’en. Together, they will distribute recycled bicycles with the aim of teaching young children how to cycle from an early age.
Up until now, Aalborg’s citizens have placed bicycles they no longer want in a container in Nørresundby. The GPS’en shop then restores the discarded bicycles, giving them new life. Commenting on their work, GPS’en Project Employee Torben Mark explained:
“These bicycles have been donated for recycling by citizens. They are in very different conditions. Some of them we can do nothing about, while others are really nice. Some need to be lubricated, have a chain changed or have new wheels, which we can sometimes find on other discarded bikes. We usually sell those bikes on, but we have a hard time getting rid of children’s bikes, so they pile up a little over the years. That’s why this project is a win-win. The bicycles are given new life and it is great that the children’s institutions will accept them.”
Children receiving their new bikes (Source: Aalborg Kommune on Facebook)
In a press release, Aalborg Municipality reveals the goals behind the Children’s Lives in Healthy Balance project, noting that it seeks to create a healthy environment for children. More specifically, it aims to teach them how to lead an active life from an early age. Councillor for Health and Culture Jes Lunde discussed this further, sharing that the foundations for active and healthy lifestyles are laid during childhood.
With the new initiative, children will not only learn how to ride a bicycle but also understand the benefits of sustainable practices. Explaining how the new bikes will impact the children, Pedagogical Manager at the Børnehaven Viaduktvej nursery school shared:
“Children want to move, and a bicycle gives them speed, freedom, and the feeling of mastering something. At the same time, it strengthens both their self-esteem and skills. We really want to focus on cycling games and increase children’s joy of movement. To learn to ride a bike, you need well-functioning bikes.”
This, however, is likely to change soon
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
The island is dead set on doing something about the problem of overtourism
This is city twinning for the 21st century
You can find it in the capital Sofia, where it was installed upon the initiative of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
People in both cities got to sit together both in person and virtually
An illegal landfill will turn into a parking lot for cars confiscated by the police
It also features fast-charging stations for e-buses
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
A US geologist claims to have solved the centuries-old mystery
This is the day when all madrileños take local pride in their city and culture
And the results were immediate, two Sunday services had to be performed to accommodate the crowd
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team