Just in time for the start of the Summer Olympics, 12 young Tyrolean cyclists reached their destination – Paris, exhausted but overjoyed – after seven stages of around 1,000 kilometers and over 8,000 meters in altitude. With their successful completion of the cycling marathon from the Olympic city of Innsbruck to Paris, the athletes set an example for the environment and climate protection – with the aim of not only collecting kilometers themselves for the “Tyrol cycles for climate-fit mountain forests” campaign, but also for the Tyrolean population to motivate people to participate. Even before the official starting signal, over 1,600 Tyroleans were mobilized and cycled around 145,000 kilometers. Now all Tyroleans are called upon to take part in the challenge, which was launched by the Habitat Tirol Group in cooperation with the Climate Alliance and is part of the “Tirol Radelt” initiative.
“Anyone who can cover around 150 kilometers and climb more than 1,000 meters in altitude on a racing bike every day and repeat this feat seven days in a row without a break shows determination. That’s exactly what 12 Tyrolean racing bike enthusiasts have achieved in the past few days and I’m thrilled by their outstanding performance. If you combine that with an action that has a positive impact on the climate and thus on the future of Tyrol, then that is exemplary,” emphasizes Georg Dornauer1st deputy state governor and state sports councilor, who brings together the athletes Karin Seilermanaging director of Tirol Werbe, and Peter MennelSecretary General of the ÖOC, at the Austria Tirol House in Paris.
Innsbruck – Paris: From one Olympic city to the other
Exactly a week ago, a 12-person delegation started their journey to Paris at the SILLPARK forecourt in Innsbruck. On their tour through Tyrol, Germany and France, after 1,000 kilometers and over 8,000 meters of altitude, they arrived just in time for the opening of the Olympic Games. The cycling marathon served not only for sporting purposes, but above all to support the “Tyrol cycles for climate-fit mountain forests” initiative. With their arrival at the Österreich Tirol Haus, the cyclists have already made an important contribution to protecting the Tyrolean mountain forests. Now the Tyroleans are called upon to continue cycling for the project.
Protect Tyrolean mountain forests through cycling
The aim of the initiative is to make an active contribution to the reforestation of Tyrolean forests through cycling. During the tour, numerous kilometers were collected for the challenge “Tyrol cycles for climate-fit mountain forests”. Karin Seiler, Managing Director of Tirol Advertising, is enthusiastic: “It is unbelievable the distance the athletes have covered on their racing bikes for the Tyrolean mountain forests,” and adds: “We as the Habitat Tirol Group see it as our task to… Can make a contribution to an intact living space. That’s why we created this challenge. We are pleased that 1,500 Tyroleans have already registered for the app and have covered 130,000 kilometers together.”
And Peter Mennel also paid tribute to the Tyrolean initiative: “This campaign suits Tyrol and is an effective combination of sport and a good cause. The fact that young people here are committed to a sustainable future worth living is also a good signal for our shared commitment here in Paris.”
Competition for climate protectors
Tyroleans can use the “Österreich radelt” app to record their own cycling routes using GPS tracking until August 25th. With the help of sponsors, money is collected with every kilometer for the reforestation of the Tyrolean mountain forests. There is also a prize for the sporting achievements: Anyone who takes part in the “Tyrol cycles for climate-fit mountain forests” campaign has the chance to win a cycling holiday for two people.
“The aim of the Tirol radelt campaign is to motivate Tyroleans to reduce the number of kilometers they drive in everyday life and to gradually move around in a more climate-friendly way. The athletes set a strong example with the seven-day tour from Innsbruck to Paris. Now the population is called upon to increase the number of kilometers further,” emphasizes Andrä StiggerManaging Director of the Climate Alliance.
Tyroleans can take part in the challenge and collect kilometers at www.radelt.at/appstore (only on mobile devices) until August 25th.