Bicycle in exchange for a car

11 April 2024

Sustainable Development Goals

Short description

The main goal of the initiative “We have a car for repair, you have a bicycle: improve the environment, improve health” is to promote the principles of sustainable development, environmental responsibility and a healthy lifestyle through an unusual offer: free bicycle rental for service station customers while their cars are being repaired. The initiative was organized by the public association for promoting the sustainable development of the Vileyka region “ZOViK” in the city of Molodechno and the service station “Maksavto”.

The activity was implemented with the support of local organizations, such as the private unitary enterprise “New Approach”, the editorial office of the newspaper “Shlyakh Peramogi”, the online publication “Kraj.by” and the “Berezinsky Agricultural Technical Vocational Lyceum”, as well as international and national partners.

REGION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Molodechno, Molodechno district, Minsk region

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TOPICS

Environmental sustainability and resource management
Social development
Housing and urban environment

CONTENTS OF THE ACTIVITY

The initiative’s activities included the implementation of a number of the following tasks: purchase and installation of modern equipment for the Maksavto service station; introduction of free bicycle rental for customers of the Maksavto service station; organizing events and events for various groups of the population, including families and people with disabilities; conducting educational trainings and master classes for youth and schoolchildren aimed at vocational guidance and practical skills.

KEY STEPS OF IMPLEMENTATION:

Organization of free bicycle rental. Equipping the service station with its own bicycle rack and purchasing bicycles for free use.
Conducting career guidance events for youth. Cooperation with the Berezinsky Agricultural and Technical Vocational Lyceum to provide students with work experience at a service station and increase their chances of successful employment in the future.
Conducting a family campaign “Dad Can” to actively involve fathers and their children in becoming familiar with the work of the service station. Stimulating the strengthening of family ties, emphasizing the importance of fathers’ participation in the education and development of children.
Carrying out a campaign for people with disabilities. Creating an inclusive environment at the service station, where each client feels valued and respected, regardless of physical ability, through the free provision of basic car service services.
Creation of new jobs. Organization of new jobs adapted for people facing difficulties in finding employment, including people with disabilities and former prisoners. Providing equal opportunities for everyone, especially those who often face barriers to employment.

RESULTS AND IMPACT OF THE INITIATIVE

15 new jobs were created. Among them are two jobs for a person with disabilities and a former prisoner.

The introduction of free bicycle rental into service stations at service stations not only improved the quality of customer service, but also enriched the social role of the enterprise, providing support to diverse groups of the population.

The initiative’s activities contributed to strengthening family values, fatherhood, as well as developing children’s interest in technical professions and increasing their overall technical literacy.

Provided educational and professional development opportunities to 25 students pursuing a career in the automotive service industry.

The “We Rent a Car, You Rent a Bike” initiative demonstrates that even seemingly small measures such as bike sharing can have a far-reaching impact, helping to promote more sustainable and healthy lifestyles in urban environments and supporting young people.

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