Bike Bridge

Being able to and being allowed to ride a bike is so ordinary for many of us. But in many Islamic countries, being able to cycle has become a dream for many women. Cycling for women in those countries is often banned by patriarchal regulations and restrictive traditions.

Through Bike Bridge, we want to provide a possibility for girls and women to learn cycling. We aim to facilitate their mobility and at the same time welcome them to the new city and surroundings. We promote intercultural dialogue through physical activity in a diverse training group and make connection between refugees and locals on the same level.

The concept also includes transport training, repair workshops, bicycle tours and excursions in Freiburg and its surrounding, as well as many other joint activities.

We want to enable cultural and social exchanges between asylum seekers and refugees and locals and to create contacts and friendships beyond our courses.

It is our goal to:

• strengthen the self-confidence and self-efficacy of our participants
• Improve their mobility
• Offer appropriate physical activities
• make cycling a sustainable activity/transportation means by giving each participants a bike, a helmet and a lock
• improve their knowledge of German by means of short learning units or and provide them with chances to apply their learned skills.

Together we want to have fun, celebrate diversity, and build our community

With the consideration of the cultural backgrounds of the newcomers, the characteristics of the city of Freiburg, and our goals, cycling was chosen as the ideal activity with the great impact in social, psychological, and environmental spheres. Cycling means much more than just mobility, it stands for freedom, in-dependency, and pure joy.
We all know the liberating and joyful feeling on the bike to descend, to depart and feel the wind through the hair. Our vision is that all women and girls should have a chance to cycle and experience this feeling of freedom! Support us!

This year, as part of the Bike Bridge season 2017, we are organizing four bike courses in four accommodations in Freiburg. But the demand is much higher, we have received far more requests, but the funds are missing.
In order to be able to offer a follow-up course in the dormitory of the pilot project and another in a new accommodation, we need your support!
In order to be able to carry out better and faster trainings in the future, we need ten Bike Bridge training bikes!