A ride to discover the treasures of the city, on the occasion of the celebrations of the patron saint. This will be much and more The letter by bicycle 2025a demonstration scheduled for June 3, sponsored by the Municipality and organized by Fiab Messina Ciclable, Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) and Nibali Team, in the name of the slogan “Messina is beautiful, by bike more”.
The initiative was presented this morning, at Palazzo Zanca. «Ours – he explains Fabrizio Murè, president of Fiab Messina Ciclable – It is a tribute and an opportunity for celebration. On June 3, in addition to the Madonna of the letter, the World Bicycle Day is celebrated, established by the UN to raise awareness of the benefits deriving from its use as a means of transport and for free time “.
The letter by bicycle has no sporting or competitive character but is proposed as “an easy and open pedaling on everyone on the streets of the city center”. A moment “of participation, of community and conviviality”, also designed for families, which will culminate in a small Gimkane park for children, animated by FCI, in Piazza Duomo, a starting point and designated arrival.
«It is a tribute to the beauty of our city and a way to measure it from the perspective of bike mobility – continues Murè – those who have not yet tried will realize how quick and easy to move in the center, between Villa Dante and the Annunziata. We intend to draw attention to an economic, easy, ecological means of transport, accessible almost everyone and suitable for urban movements». Fiab Messina cycle path promotes bike mobility, in the logic of coexistence between multiple forms of transport: «We are active in raising awareness both citizens and administration on safety issues, but also of fun and physical well -being. Bike exercise can help reduce stress and keep fit. Bicycle mobility also allows you to reduce traffic pressure and emissions on the urban environment “.
This second edition of La Letter by bicycle is embellished with the contribution of FCI and Nibali teams. Antonino Lucio Ficarra, president of the provincial committee of Messina della FCIrecalls how Federciclismo hugs all disciplines that concern the bicycle: «It is an opportunity to bring families and those who already practice cycling on the street and can be from towing for other friends. Educating families to use the bike is essential to change the current trend.
This initiative must be a starting point to communicate that by bike you can go and that you have to create more and more spaces where you can pedal, both for leisure and for competitiveness ». In this sense, the provincial committee of the FCI is very active: «In the province of Messina – confirms Ficarra – together with the affiliated companies, we are carrying out a project, the Trophy of the Municipalities. A very young championship involving eight municipalities.
The approach to administrations is the key to having more and more space for cycling. These youth activities serve as a promotion for families. And the Municipalities show how much the best there is to see and know, given that many manifestations have regional character ». Giuseppe Ciprianosports director of the Nibali team, hopes for an increase in cycle paths, although he admits that “we are on the right road”, and the “construction of cycledromes in the spaces free from the breakdown, perhaps outside the facilities dedicated to other sports, in order to entice children to use the bike in complete safety.
From this point of view, we are totally lacking. In these years of commitment we have struggled to find suitable spaces to train the boys, always with little luck. Hoping that this administration, as it seems, is sensitive to our requests – he concludes – we will continue to always work in favor of the use of the bike and the promotion of competitive cycling “.
The path
Gathering in Piazza Duomo, at 9.30, and departure at 10, in a southern direction, from Corso Cavour to via Cesare Battisti, to get to the monumental cemetery and go down via San Cosimo, in via La Farina. From there, we will move to the north, and then touch Piazza Cairoli and take Via Garibaldi, always north, until you reach Viale Carostra and Viale della Libertà, up to the Accascina Museum. From there, we will return to Viale della Libertà to reach Piazza Duomo again, through Corso Cavour. The route is about 12 kilometers, largely flat or with minimal differences in height. It is therefore suitable for any type of bike, both muscle and pedal assisted. Participation is free and is also open to children, as long as they are accompanied by adults. It is recommended to verify that the bike is correctly operating and to respect the highway code and, more generally, the normal common sense rules in moving in a group.