GIA LAI, Vietnam – December 20, 2024

In Vietnam, many children share the road with speeding trucks, with no sidewalks to walk on going to school or proper infrastructure for safe cycling. Across the country, young cyclists lack the knowledge and practical experience to navigate these busy roads safely on their school journeys. These issues create many risks and highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures and community support for safer cycling routes.

In an effort to continue safeguarding students’ safer journeys to school and promote greener mobility, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and FIA Foundation joined forces with AIP Foundation to implement theRide Safe – Bike Safety program in Gia Lai province Vietnam in 2024. The program was made possible through funding from the Safe and Sustainable Mobility Grants programme by the FIA and supported by the FIA Foundation.

“The FIA is proud to support the Ride Safe – Bike Safety program in Vietnam. This program not only safeguards students on their way to school, but also promotes green mobility while protecting our planet,” shares Anaïs Aite, Mobility Grants Manager at the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)

Cycling for safer school journeys

This innovative program aimed to utilize youth-driven technology to improve road infrastructure and promote greener and more active transport across the province. This aligns with Vietnam’s current 2030 Road Safety Strategy and 2050 Net Zero commitments with emphasis on safe and sustainable mobility.

To mark the conclusion of the program in December 2024, a closing workshop was held with key partners and government stakeholders to share the achievements and successes of the Ride Safe- Bike Safety program. The key project activities included the development of a Bike Safely GPS tracker app, conducting surveys at 11 project schools as well as organizing educational training on safe cycling skills at 12 schools in Phu Thien district. In this district, more than 60% of students ride their bicycles to school.

In addition, the program encouraged local authorities to use the collected data to plan improvements to cycling infrastructure to further encourage greener and more active modes of transportation. During implementation, the program directly reached more than 5,000 students, teachers, parents, and government officials.

Outstanding program results safeguarding students

Following the series of ‘Safer Cycling to School’ educational trainings as part of the program, the percentage of students demonstrating excellent and good knowledge increased from 79.8% to 92.1%, with a particularly notable rise in those achieving excellent knowledge, which surged from 23.7% to 57.2%. These substantial improvements in knowledge are encouraging signs that motivate students to adopt eco-friendly modes of transport and maintain safe cycling habits while on their journey to school.

The program also advocated for the improvement of cycle infrastructure in Phu Thien District based on data collected on the routes students take to school by bike. Additionally, the program promoted collaboration and joint efforts between schools, organizations, and relevant authorities to strengthen road safety measures for students in the province. Throughout the implementation of the program, students received 32 new bicycles, 2,350 backpacks and over 5,360 informational Bike Safety booklets.

As part of the initiative, 1,250 students collectively cycled an impressive 27,687.31 kilometers within one month, reducing an estimated 1.26 tons of CO2 equivalent. This achievement underscores the dual benefits of cycling for both safety and environmental sustainability.

“The Ride Safe – Bike Safety program has made a true impact in Gia Lai province promoting safer and greener modes of transportation to school. Engaging youth is the first step that we need to take to make a real change, and youth are at the forefront of this program advocating for their rights to safe school journeys,” shares Mirjam Sidik, Chief Executive Officer at AIP Foundation.