ComBINA is a new school mobility program aimed at 3rd cycle and secondary school students who need the support of an experienced adult on their first journeys to school by bicycle, before gaining autonomy.
What happens when children grow up and, as young teenagers, start wanting to cycle to school on their own? Lisbon City Council is launching a new school mobility program with this new stage in mind. It's called COMBINE and is intended for 3rd cycle and secondary school students who need the support of an experienced adult for their first bike rides, before gaining independence.
Through ComBINA, young people receive initial support from adults who are experienced in cycling in urban environments, particularly in the city of Lisbon. The adult tutor studies the surrounding area and helps to define personalized, practical and safe routes for cycling home-school-home. Using the existing infrastructure, the young people will then learn how to share the road safely and the applicable traffic rules. At the end, and before gaining full autonomy, the participants will be assessed according to certain criteria.
ComBINA is being launched as a pilot in three schools in the city: the EB 2,3 Telheirasin Lumiar; the EB Eugénio dos Santosin Alvalade; and António Damásio Secondary Schoolin Olivais. This is a complementary initiative to municipal bicycle train program and will also be operated by the cooperative Bicycling.
While the Trains serve primary and secondary school children and young people, who generally have less autonomy and prefer to travel in a group, ComBINA is aimed at age groups who are already looking for a personalized bicycle accompaniment and mentoring service associated with a route designed to be practical and safe, with a view to preparing the participants' autonomy when making the home-school-home commute.
To take part in ComBINA, all you have to do is register using this form on the Lisbon City Council website (the parent must do this). Participants must be students in the 3rd cycle of elementary school or secondary school; however, in exceptional cases, students in the 2nd cycle may be admitted. They must have their own bicycle or, if they are over 16, use a GIRA. Questions or further information can be obtained by contacting mobilidadeescolar@cm-lisboa.pt. You can also use this e-mail address if your child's school is not on the list of participating establishments.
