Summary of Activities in the BICYCLE Project

The BICYCLE Project aims to empower young people with the skills and knowledge to advocate for cycling-friendly policies, both at the grassroots and institutional levels. By fostering transnational collaboration, it seeks to create a sustainable network of young activists working on urban sustainability and civic engagement. The project will not only provide direct learning experiences for participants but also leave a lasting impact through policy proposals and digital resources that can be used by future initiatives.

Phase 1: Engage – Capacity Building & Skill Development

Youth Exchange (Spain)
Sixty young people (ten from each country) will participate in an eight-day exchange, where they will learn innovative methods for engaging in policy advocacy. They will use the Dragon Dreaming methodology to design youth-led political initiatives related to cycling policies. The exchange will lead to the creation of a Youth Work and Facilitation Tools Guide to support future engagement strategies.

Training Course for Youth Workers (France)
This activity involves 24 youth workers (four from each partner organization) in a four-day intensive training focused on cycling policies, youth advocacy, and participatory democracy. The goal is to equip them with tools to engage young people in cycling-related civic initiatives. The training will result in a Best Practices Manual based on the EU Cycling Declaration.

Phase 2: Connect – Online & Offline Youth Engagement

International Volunteering Program
Thirty-six young people (six per country) will take part in a 59-day international volunteering program in Spain, allowing them to put into practice the projects previously planned during the Youth Exchange and the Training Course. They will develop a Diary from the Journey, capturing personal reflections and key lessons learned.

Phase 3: Empower – Local & International Policy Advocacy

Local Cycling Advocacy & Policy Dialogues
Ninety-six young people (sixteen per country) will participate in a six-day advocacy initiative in their respective countries, based on volunteering programme results. This will involve cycling tours, meetings with local policymakers, and the presentation of policy proposals aimed at improving cycling infrastructure and promoting sustainable urban mobility. The results will be compiled into a Bike Routes Guide, outlining recommendations for policymakers.

Final Policy Presentation in Brussels
Thirty-six representatives (three youth workers and three young people from each partner country) will travel to Brussels for a three-day event, where they will present their policy recommendations to European stakeholders and policymakers. The event will contribute to raising awareness at the EU level and will be supported by a project website and dissemination campaign to ensure long-term impact.