GreenWheels: Safe and sustainable mountain biking for healthy communities

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Outdoor activities and grassroots sports are essential for physical, mental, and social well-being. However, participation in recreational sports is declining across Europe, as professionalized sports become increasingly dominant. This shift has widened the gap between those who can afford club memberships and those without access to regular physical activity, particularly lower-income families, creating barriers to active and healthy lifestyles. In Croatia and Slovenia, data shows a steady decline in grassroots outdoor sports, while professional training for privileged groups continues to grow. National data highlight alarming disparities in motor proficiency between children in sports clubs and those unable to participate, reinforcing the urgent need for accessible recreational opportunities. GreenWheels addresses this challenge by uniting MTB clubs from Slovenia and Croatia with the Municipality of Piran to promote MTB as an inclusive and accessible grassroots sport. Leveraging the Istrian region’s natural landscapes, it fosters outdoor physical activity, environmental awareness, and social inclusion, particularly for economically disadvantaged groups. Key activities include mapping, categorizing, and digitizing MTB trails, ensuring easy access to tailored routes. GreenWheels introduces innovative initiatives such as ride & clean campaigns and MTB safety workshops, merging sports with environmental conservation and community engagement. These efforts generate lasting impact by encouraging healthier lifestyles while protecting natural ecosystems. Aligned with EU priorities, GreenWheels advances health-focused physical activity, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility. By promoting outdoor recreation and green mobility, it contributes to broader EU objectives on well-being and sustainable communities. Its innovative approach, merging sports, technology, and environmental awareness, creates a replicable model, inspiring similar initiatives across Europe.