Hands-on workshops organised by the City of Monza helped citizens and workers gain practical skills to integrate cycling into their everyday mobility choices.
Encouraging people to cycle more often is not only about building infrastructure — it is also about confidence, knowledge and everyday practicality.
Within the framework of the GreenPATH project, the City of Monza is demonstrating how local engagement activities can support a real shift toward more sustainable mobility habits.
On 15 November, Monza hosted a series of hands-on cycling workshops at the historic Mulini Asciutti, bringing together local workers, residents and cycling advocates for an afternoon dedicated to discovering how cycling can become a reliable and comfortable part of daily life.
Organised in collaboration with FIAB Monza, the initiative is part of the city’s broader GreenPATH pilot, which promotes cycle commuting through incentives, digital tools and community-based activities.
Addressing everyday barriers to cycling
While many people recognise the environmental and health benefits of cycling, practical concerns often discourage potential cyclists. Issues such as bike theft, weather conditions or carrying everyday items can quickly become barriers to adopting cycling as a daily mobility option.
The Monza workshops were designed to directly address these concerns, providing practical tips and expert advice.
Participants explored how to prevent bike theft, learning the importance of choosing a reliable lock, securing the bike frame rather than only the wheel, and selecting visible and safe parking locations.
Another session focused on cycling in the rain, presenting simple solutions such as waterproof clothing, breathable layers to avoid overheating, and reflective elements to improve visibility in low-light conditions.
Making cycling part of everyday mobility
Beyond cycling skills, the workshops also highlighted how bicycles can integrate into broader mobility systems.
Participants learned how to combine cycling with public transport, discovering access rules for bikes on metro systems and regional trains and discussing how bicycle parking at stations can support multimodal commuting.
Another engaging session explored shopping by bike, presenting practical solutions such as baskets, panniers and cargo options that make everyday errands both feasible and sustainable.
Finally, participants discovered how digital tools and cycling apps can support safer route planning and track commuting behaviour, contributing to the monitoring activities of the GreenPATH pilot.
“Encouraging cycling is not only about infrastructure. It is also about helping people feel confident and equipped to use bicycles in their everyday lives.”
Supporting behavioural change through local engagement
The workshops illustrate how community-based initiatives can play a key role in promoting sustainable mobility behaviours.
By offering practical guidance and opportunities to exchange experiences, the event helped participants gain confidence and discover how cycling can become a realistic option for daily commuting, errands and multimodal travel.
Through the GreenPATH project, partner cities across Central Europe are testing similar approaches, demonstrating that behavioural change is most effective when infrastructure improvements are combined with community engagement and practical support.
About the GreenPATH pilot in Monza
The GreenPATH pilot in Monza promotes cycling as a daily commuting option through a combination of incentives, digital tools and awareness activities.
At the core of the pilot is the Pin Bike system, which tracks kilometres cycled by commuters and rewards sustainable mobility behaviour. The system also provides real-time monitoring through a public dashboard, helping the municipality better understand cycling flows and mobility patterns.
Alongside these technological solutions, activities such as workshops, campaigns and local events contribute to building a stronger culture of sustainable mobility within the city.
A shared European effort
These workshops are part of the GreenPATH promotional campaigns implemented by partner cities, which aim to encourage behavioural change and support sustainable commuting across Central Europe.
By sharing experiences and successful initiatives such as the Monza workshops, the GreenPATH partnership contributes to building healthier, more liveable and climate-friendly urban environments.