Cycle2Connect is an Erasmus+ Sport project that brings together students from different European countries in a joint cycling challenge to promote sustainable mobility and a healthy lifestyle.

Students form teams, track their daily cycling and collect kilometres through the CYCLE2CONNECT mobile app. The students who collect the most kilometres cycling in the challenge period can qualify for the European Student Cycling Challenge 2027 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with all costs covered. On June 10, 2027, they will have the chance to participate in this final event, organised as part of the Maraton Franja BTC City, the largest recreational cycling event in Slovenia. Using the BicikeLJ city bike system, they will cycle in a group ride through the city, and have the possibility to also take part in the main race afterwards.

Cycle2Connect is the first European student cycling challenge that brings together sport, sustainability, digital tools and inclusion. The project connects universities, sports organisations, and cities to encourage long-term, sustainable mobility habits among young people and to ensure equal opportunities for participation for all through adapted activities. Workshops on sustainable mobility, healthy lifestyle, road safety and inclusion of vulnerable groups are also part of the project. 

The project gamifies mobility, making cycling an exciting challenge and motivating students to shift from cars to bicycles, and so, to use daily an environmentally friendly transport mode. The aim is to foster long-term engagement and to tackle deep-rooted societal challenges, from the rising rates of physical inactivity among youth to the exclusion of vulnerable groups from active mobility. Cycle2Connect also acts as a case study for other cities to expand bike-sharing systems and for the further development of European student cycling initiatives.

The European Student Cycling Challenge project is co-funded by the European Union, has been designed by the Rog Cycling Club, and is supported by the City of Ljubljana, European University Sports Association (EUSA) with the EUSA Institute and other key partners.

Join the challenge early on, start collecting kilometres and qualify for the European Student Cycling Challenge 2027 Final! You can download the mobile app here.

For more information, visit the website: https://franja.org/en/cycle2connect/