This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of one of Italy's most recognizable active mobility events: Bimbimbici, the event promoted by FIAB (Italian Federation of Environment and Bicycles), which since the beginning of this century has brought thousands of children and families to the streets of over 200 cities. This significant milestone coincides with a particularly significant edition, scheduled for the entire month of May, with the highlight, as mentioned, on the weekend of the 9th and 10th.
Bimbimbici isn't just a group ride, but a cultural project that emphasizes the right of children to move safely and independently in urban spaces. The goal is clear: to raise awareness among citizens and institutions about the importance of safe school streets, protected routes to and from school , and more livable cities. In a context where motorized traffic continues to dominate daily travel, the initiative presents a concrete opportunity to rethink mobility, starting with the youngest members of the community.
Together with Streets for Kids
Over the years, Bimbimbici has engaged over a million families, becoming a point of reference for those who believe in sustainable and inclusive mobility. "Reaching 25 years of Bimbimbici is a remarkable achievement: it means having organized several hundred initiatives across the country, involving families, schools, municipalities , and, not least, international organizations like UNICEF, with the aim of sowing the seeds for training cyclists and, above all, the active citizens of tomorrow ," emphasizes Luigi Menna, president of FIAB Italia.
The 2026 edition is also part of a broader framework, thanks to its connection with the European Streets for Kids initiative promoted by Clean Cities. The two initiatives share a common vision: giving public space back to children by reducing traffic, pollution, and noise in the areas around schools . It's not just about bike rides, but also about concrete actions such as temporary traffic blocks, walking buses, bike-to-school, and recreational activities that transform streets into social hubs.
Mapping of critical points
Among this year's most significant innovations is the civic mapping project of hot spots in school zones. This initiative aims to collect direct reports from families and local communities to identify the most problematic areas from a safety perspective.
"To represent this 25th edition of Bimbimbici, we chose an illustration of happy children moving independently through the city streets (opening image, ed.). This is a hope we wanted to bring to life by also introducing a new civic mapping initiative for critical points around school buildings, because we believe that home-school routes are the first step towards giving children back their space in our cities," explains Davide Paltrinieri, school area coordinator for FIAB Italia.
Stimulate administrators
Mapping is not only an analytical tool, but also a means of fostering dialogue between citizens and governments. The information collected can guide concrete interventions such as speed reduction, the creation of pedestrian zones, or the introduction of temporary solutions to improve safety.
"The goal of this initiative," adds Paltrinieri, "developed in collaboration with Streets for Kids , is to spread a simple action that can help families become more aware of the routes people take on foot and by bike, and can encourage administrators to intervene, based on the reports collected, to improve the safety of those roads, introducing speed reduction measures for those who travel by car or proposing temporary or permanent pedestrianization."
The Bimbimbici 2026 calendar is available nationwide and features initiatives suitable for everyone: easy rides, educational events, social gatherings , and activities designed to introduce children to cycling in a safe and fun way. In an era where the quality of urban life is increasingly tied to sustainable travel, Bimbimbici is proving to be a widespread laboratory of best practices. It's an opportunity to demonstrate that changing habits is possible, starting with simple gestures like cycling to school. Because building child-friendly cities ultimately means building better cities for everyone.
