#BIKEYGEES e.V. is a nonprofit association created in Berlin in 2015 to teach women, in particular refugee women, how to ride a bike. It’s a wonderful project that promotes intercultural encounters and empathy across borders, welcomes newcomers, and equips women with practical tools to enhance their adaptation to their new country. Riding a bike gives a sense of freedom and independence (and is just plain fun!). This is especially crucial when starting out in a new country where our sense of self-esteem can decrease due to the unknown surrounding and our consequent limitation in our ability to function as we are used to in our new setting.

Francesca, a US-expat in Germany, is a biking trainer with #BIKEYGEES e.V., and will tell us about the project and how beneficial it is to women in Berlin.