For migrants in a new country, a bicycle can be an essential tool for becoming autonomous as well as for meeting new people and integrating. An Italian NGO runs a program offering bikes for integration.
Migrants who arrive in Europe and are placed in reception systems often do not manage to become economically independent and are not able to acquire a car or a driver's license. In some cases, they can't even afford to pay for public transport. In this context, a bicycle becomes an essential tool for becoming independent, getting around a city, and in some cases, also for helping in integration.
The non-profit association "Nuovi Cittadini" (New Citizens) in the Italian city of Udine manages projects for refugees and asylum seekers as part of the state's Protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (SPRAR) programme. For a few years now it has been using bicycles as a way to help migrants become independent and integrate.
The organization has also created a bicycle repair shop managed with the involvement of the migrants who are part of the reception programme. The shop is outfitted with the necessary equipment to perform regular maintenance on bicycles and its services are open to the public. Thanks to this opportunity, some young migrants have been able to train as bicycle mechanics.
Training to become professional
"In the case of some of the recreational activities we've organized, the junior migrant mechanics have made themselves available, together with the assistance of more senior mechanic volunteers, to perform regular maintenance on city residents' bikes," Rossi said. She said the association has participated for two consecutive years in a project sponsored by the City of Udine called "Pedals Roundtable", a work group for the promotion of cycling as a method of transport that doesn't pollute and at the same time keeps riders healthy with physical activity.
"We've organized cycling outings, offered our bicycle repair service with our guests, proposed highway and vehicle safety educational initiatives, and provided orienteering activities," she said.
Bicycles needed for independence
Rossi said that bicycles are an important way to get around the city. "Our guests certainly don't have cars and use public transport to get around, but in some cases public transport doesn't reach the places they need to go, for example where we offer internships. So we allow them to borrow bicycles so they can reach the internship sites," she said. Rossi said that the association's educational programmes have involved schools as well. "That way the migrants are able to meet with students and participate together in recreational cycling activities," she said, adding that in this way, the bicycles become "a tool for facilitating integration".
Apart from offering bikes, the organization offers various activities including literacy, intercultural education and places for people to get together.