EGWA’s 1st pilot activity for Saturday 16 March was a cycling activity to discover nature and heritage along line 38 of the RAVel, and of course, to have fun! Organised in cooperation with the Maison du Tourisme de Pays de Herve. Invited to participate were the “Dagasses” of the Patro de Thimister-Clermont. The young participants, equipped with a node bracelet of the itinerary and their smartphone, followed the cyclo-quiz of the Pays de Herve, of about twenty km, making the corresponding stops to answer the questions of the contest. Leon, the activity guide, provided information on the landscape and history along the route, as well as safety tips at crossroads. The stops in Clermont, one of the most beautiful cities in Wallonia, and in Fort Battice, were particularly noteworthy.
The 2nd pilot activity in Belgium held nearby Herentals, organised by EGWA in collaboration with the province of Antwerp and the Welkome Café Velo Club, on 17/March. A group of sport cyclists, coordinated by Jo Helsen, the team’s “coach” participated in the activity along the Herentals-Aarschot greenway and no motorised network around. Several stops were made along the route to reflect on some of the issues cyclists on the former railway line may face (e.g. crossings at junctions, oncoming traffic, slow and fast cyclists, families with children on the way, cycling courtesy, etc.). The ride also included an old line leading to a former military base, which is now designed as KAMP C – centre for sustainable construction and housing in Antwerp province, to raise awareness about environment and circular economy, as SIGWAY objectives. The tour ended with a drink and a delicious spaghetti at the Welkome café, and big smiles from all the participants, reflecting the sense of wellbeing, that this activity brought. It has been a truly unforgettable experience!!