Enhancing daily life with increased movement and physical activity
In the picturesque town of Neuwied, Germany, a unique initiative is making waves. The Health Promotion and Prevention Coordination Office of Neuwied County, in collaboration with several partners, has launched a free cycling course for women with migration or refugee experience.
This initiative, part of the Health Promotion and Prevention Coordination Office's wider initiatives, is supported by the city and county of Neuwied, as well as organisations such as the AWO, Caritas, Diakonie, LZG, and the LSB. The project aims to promote mobility and health through exercise, targeting women who did not have the opportunity to learn cycling in their childhood.
The cycling course takes place on the schoolyard of the former Raiffeisen school, where participants attend both practical days and theoretical workshops. The practical units are guided by two competent trainers, while the lessons are funded by the 'Integration through Sport' program of Rhineland-Palatinate.
The theoretical workshops cover essential topics like first aid, bicycle repair, and traffic rules, ensuring the women are well-equipped for their cycling journey. The participants learn to cycle in a safe environment, making them more confident and independent.
Melanie Böhm, a local reporter, has been following the course closely and reports that the women are very motivated and punctual, attending both practical days and theoretical workshops. The response to the course has been overwhelming, with high demand and a waiting list for a possible second course before the first one is completed.
One of the most significant benefits of the course is the increased mobility it provides. Many refugee women in the Neuwied area find the ability to cycle a real relief, as it makes them less dependent on buses and trains.
The Diakonisches Werk has refurbished the practice bikes for the cycling course, ensuring that each participant has access to a reliable bicycle. Participants who have attended at least eight practical sessions can keep one of the donated practice bikes, upon successfully completing the course.
Neuwied's Mayor, Peter Jung, visited the cycling course and expressed his joy at the noticeable enthusiasm among the participants. He emphasised the importance of such initiatives in empowering migrant and refugee women, improving their mobility, promoting integration, and fostering independence.
Such initiatives, while specific to Neuwied, reflect a wider trend in Germany. They aim to provide affordable transport, support social inclusion, and offer a meaningful way for migrant and refugee women to engage with their communities. For more detailed information about local programs and participation rates, it is recommended to contact the local refugee aid organisations or municipal social services directly.
- The cycling course, being a part of the Health Promotion and Prevention Coordination Office's education-and-self-development initiatives, focuses on womens-health by teaching fitness-and-exercise (cycling) to women with migration or refugee experience, promoting learning (theoretical workshops) on essential topics like first aid, bicycle repair, and traffic rules.
- This unique health-and-wellness program, supported by organizations like Diakonie and Caritas, is not just about equipping women with the skill to cycle, but also encourages their independence by providing other-related benefits such as increased mobility and reduced dependence on public transportation (buses and trains).
- Aside from Neuwied, similar initiatives in the field of science (integration through sport) are witnessed across Germany, aiming to offer affordable transport, support social inclusion, and provide a platform for womens-health, fitness-and-exercise, and learning opportunities within communities.
