2023-05-06 08:26:00
Cycling is not only a recreational or sporting activity but it can also be a powerful tool to help. Rodrigo Pol is the founder of Bicipiantes, a group of cyclists who organize bike rides for beginners with humor and solidarity as their flag.
Bicipiantes was born a few months before the pandemic with the intention of showing the B side of cycling, integrating beginners in this sport and offering counseling and workshops bicycle repair. “I followed various riders and groups, but they all showed the perfect photo arriving at their destination, I wanted to show the face we have at 5 in the morning or following pedaling so much, or when we get a puncture and end up greased up,” said Rodrigo.
With this premise and that of integrating those who are alone and helping those who are just starting out in this sport, the idea of creating a space oriented to beginners of the sport arose. urban cycling. “I started only generating very homemade content on the networks. When the pandemic allowed us to go out once more, since I was interacting with many people virtually, it occurred to me to go out to meet each other. I never thought it would be the madness it is today,” Pol admitted.
more than an adventure
what started as an adventure it became a growing movement, with more people joining the group, sharing their knowledge and taking part in the trips. Today there are already more than 11,000 members on Instagram, they make weekly outings around the city and its surroundings, long journeys across the country, useful workshops for cyclists and awareness movements.
The group of cyclists touring the streets of the City of Buenos Aires. (Photo: courtesy Bicipiantes)
One of the distinctive features of Bicipiantes is its focus on well-being and care for the environment. Bicycle trips are a way to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, for this reason, together with other groups, they founded the “Bicycle Week”, which takes place from June 3, World Bicycle Day, to June 10. June, Road Safety Day.
This national call, which has been going on for three years, encourages the use of bicycles as alternative, healthy and sustainable mobility. In addition, during that week there are talks on road safety, discounts for cyclists in different brands of the item and all cyclists in the country are called to ride the streets to join in the dissemination of the objectives.
solidarity pedaling
Through their travels, bicipientes also join other groups to make aware and provide support to social causes linked especially to health. Their dedication to help earned this team recognition from the cycling family, and due to the large community that was formed on the networks, they help give greater visibility to the causes.
“Luckily, we already have a name within the cycling community and they contact us a lot to get us to join,” said Rodrigo. Among many solidarity pedaling of those that participated are those of World Autism Day, awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and “when a cyclist dies we are part of the group that hangs the white bike at the scene of the accident, the largest It was because of Marcela Bimonte”, Pol recalled.
Cyclists reaching the summit of the mountain. (Photo: courtesy Bicipiantes)
“Another great outing that we do is the Halloween Ride, which although it is not awareness-raising, is an event that our followers look forward to since we go out to pedaling in disguise around the city, with music on the bikes, we also do raffles, it’s a lot of fun, a party. In the last one, we were more than two hundred and fifty”, said the founder of the group who, beyond the solidarity side, also stands out for camaraderie and humor.
The bike is an excuse. Rodrigo is cheerful, funny and very generous, his personality gave the group an identity. Although the outings are by bicycle, the motor of the movement goes much further. Among the benefits that this sport has in itself, being part of Bicipiantes is having a place of belongingfriends, travel places, learn, have fun and help.
Health challenges and benefits
The outings are challenging yet accessible, and because they focus on beginners, anyone can join them regardless of level or experience. In addition, the group has five expert leaders who accompany and carry portable radios to communicate.
To join Bicipiantes, Rodrigo explained: “We upload all the material to our Instagram account: @bicipiantes, there you can see the outings we do. We also have a WhatsApp group through which we keep in touch. Departures are free And you don’t need to pre-register. They just go to the meeting point at the indicated time and that’s it”.
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO) riding a bicycle is a moderate intensity activity that has important benefits for the human body: increases cardiovascular fitness, reduces stress levels, increases muscle strength and flexibility, improves posture and coordination, and decreases body fat levels.
Cycling and sustainable development
With the aim of making visible the benefits of a practice that contributes not only to health care but also to the preservation of the environment, in 2018 June 3 was established as World Bicycle Day.
Cyclists go through different places together. (Photo: courtesy Bicipiantes)
This date aims to draw attention to the virtues of using the bicycle as a simple, affordable and environmentally sustainable means of transport, since this type of vehicle contributes to cleaner air. In turn, it makes education and health care, among other social services, more accessible to vulnerable populations.
For this reason, as the UN maintains, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, a mobility system that promotes economic growth is essential, reduce inequalities and strengthen the fight once morest climate change.
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