FIAB Messina Ciclabile renews the appointment with “La Lettera in Ciclabile” again this year, an event now in its third edition and scheduled for Wednesday 3 June, coinciding with the city holiday dedicated to the Madonna della Lettera and with World Bicycle Day.
“For us cyclists from Messina it is a particularly significant coincidence – says Mary Graziano, vice president of the association -. We couldn’t imagine a better way to pay homage to our city than through a collective ride, at a relaxed pace and accessible to everyone, along a flat route designed specifically to encourage participation”.
After the success of the first two editions, the event is enriched this year with new initiatives and symbolic meanings.
“The first novelty – continues the FIAB representative – concerns the departure, precisely on the occasion of the event, of a long bicycle journey towards Varanasi, India, which will see Franco and Federico, two cycle travellers, as protagonists, one of whom is a member of FIAB Messina Ciclabile. Their itinerary will support the ‘Terra Comune’ project, aimed at raising funds for the construction of a care facility in Tuscany”.
The event will also extend its route to the southern area of the city, with a stop planned at the ZIR – Regional Industrial Zone – where a representation of workers from one of the companies present in the area will join the group.
“It is a concrete way to reiterate that the bicycle is not just a leisure tool – underlines Mary Graziano – but a true means of daily transport, already chosen by many people also for home-work trips”.
Ample space will also be dedicated to families and children. In Strada San Giacomo, next to the Duomo, a gymkhana area will be set up in collaboration with the Italian Cycling Federation and the “I Lupi dei Peloritani” association, already a partner of FIAB on the occasion of the recent “Bimbimbici” event.
“Even in this case – concludes the vice president – we want to respond to the growing desire for sociality and sharing expressed by many families. Participation in Bimbimbici was beyond all expectations and confirmed how strong the need is to experience the city as a safe, inclusive and truly shared space, free from the excessive presence of cars and the risks associated with traffic”.
The appointment with “La Lettera in Bicicletta” is set for Wednesday 3 June at 9.15 am in Strada San Giacomo. The departure of the ride is scheduled for 10.00 am, with the return to Piazza Duomo around 11.30 am.
Participation is free and open.