Cycling can be more than just a sport. It can become a way of life, as well as an opportunity for socialising and solidarity, as the children from families of Romanian origin in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (the Netherlands) discovered, together with their supporters, who gathered on Saturday 6 June at The Romanian School of Amsterdam (SRA).
After lessons, the children, parents and volunteers, all dressed in orange, gathered in front of the school to connect, through sport and positive energy, with the Făgăraș region, as part of Bikeathon Amsterdam.
All SRA children were automatically entered into the race, regardless of age, with younger children able to swap their bikes for a scooter, roller skates or any other wheeled vehicle. Two routes were organised: one around the school, for the younger children, and another in Beatrixpark.
Theme for 2026: Equal opportunities
The charity event, organised in collaboration with the Rompro Foundation and The Țara Făgărașului Community Foundation, is now in its third year and is an extension of a long-standing project – the Țara Făgărașului Bikeathon – which for over 10 years has been bringing local communities together in support of causes that deserve attention and backing. This year’s theme was equal opportunities, with the following causes being supported:
- Building character through sport
https://amsterdam.bikeathon.ro/proiect/ro/scoala-de-caracter-prin-sport
- The right to equal opportunities
https://amsterdam.bikeathon.ro/proiect/ro/drepturi-la-sanse-egale
- EduVara2
https://amsterdam.bikeathon.ro/proiect/ro/eduvara-2
Despite the changeable weather, the young participants cycled through Amsterdam to raise funds for children in the Făgăraș region, and learnt what solidarity, commitment and making a direct contribution to life-changing projects really mean.
At the end, the participants were treated to traditional Romanian sweets: cozonac, ișlere with jam and homemade syrup – a real treat, especially when you’re more than 2,000 kilometres away from Romania.
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/Rompronl
Romanians in the Netherlands have thus once again played an active part in a simple yet meaningful gesture, proving that, regardless of your age or where you are, cycling can change lives by promoting health and good deeds.
Come and be part of the movement by supporting projects in Romania that are changing lives at: https://amsterdam.bikeathon.ro/inscrie-donator/ro.
Author: Anca Șuță-Avram
Volunteer at the Amsterdam Bikeathon 2025, parent of a participant in the Amsterdam Bikeathon 2026
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