BIKE Communities - LTTA in Agres, Spain, with Velorecicla

At the end of September, our team traveled to Spain for an inspiring Learning, Training, and Teaching Activity (LTTA) under the BIKE Communities Project. The event took place in Agres, a vibrant town in the Alicante province that serves as both the home and birthplace of Velorecicla. This gathering brought together active participation from BIKE, Velorecicla, and Afrilanthropy, creating a unique space to exchange field-tested best practices. Many of these methodologies were previously compiled into our practical TOOLKIT—a comprehensive guide designed for youth workers eager to foster and expand communities that champion cycling.

The LTTA proved to be an immensely productive and bonding experience, yielding tangible results for everyone involved. Every partner was given dedicated space to highlight their local initiatives and explore how these models can be adapted by other organizations. Key sessions included:

• Youth Work Practices in Action (by BIKE): Demonstrating how cycling can be integrated into non-formal education to empower young people.

• Unlocking the Riding the Rainbow App (by Afrilanthropy): A hands-on guide covering app mechanics, registration workflows, and strategies to scale its reach.

• Local Heritage & Veloaventuras (by Velorecicla): Immersive cycling excursions that allowed us to experience Alicante’s natural beauty and rich culture firsthand.

A major highlight of the trip was our visit to CIP FP BATOI. We had the wonderful opportunity to present the project directly to the students, leading engaging discussions on how cycling serves as a powerful catalyst for social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and community resilience. Their energy, curiosity, and warm reception added a memorable dimension to our stay in Alicante.

We owe a special note of gratitude to Velorecicla for their exceptional hospitality. From ensuring every single participant had a tailored bike ready to ride, to organizing local cultural tours and guiding us through energizing Veloaventuras, their passion was evident in every detail.

We left Agres mentally refreshed, physically energized, and deeply motivated. Armed with new youth work strategies to encourage daily cycling among young people, as well as a deeper mastery of the Riding the Rainbow app, our focus now shifts to local implementation. Over the coming months, we will actively promote the app across Austria and Spain, building new organizational partnerships to ensure donated bikes reach the individuals and communities who need them most.