Are you a newcomer and are you worried about how to meet new people and new places in London? That is not a problem anymore. To help you get around the city, London Cycle Link has developed the program Bikes for Newcomers.
Luis Patricio, secretary of London Cycle Link, explains that riding a bike can be a good way to exercise, discover places, but also interact with new people.
“We are collecting bikes for adults and children, fixing them up, and distributing them to newcomers, but it’s not just getting a bike, it’s also about integrating new people, newcomers in their new city. Making them feel comfortable and meeting others that are living here.”
Cycling through a new city is an experience where all of your mixed-emotions come together as you try to adapt to a new culture.
“We are always looking for making London a place where citizens can easily choose cycling as their transportation, and we combined this with a perfect way for newcomers to start their social network.”
To help them with this project, London Cross Cultural Learner and London InterCommunity Health Centre are an essential partnership that connects the organization with newcomers.
“Some of the newcomers still don’t know the rules of the roads, so we take the opportunity to teach them about their rights and responsibilities too.”
He also says that if you have a bike that no one is using, consider contacting them through London’s Cycle Link website.
