The University of Pécs launched its second cycling challenge called “MOON BIKE 2021” in mid-May. Breaking last year’s record, participants accomplished their goal on the 59th day of the challenge, the distance between the Earth and the Moon, and then set off again, similarly to the 2020 enthusiasm. They covered a total of 806,199 km in 100 days, doubling the original challenge this year as well.
The essence of the project, which encourages joint physical activity, leading a healthy lifestyle, and forming a virtual community, is to get to the Moon by bicycle in 80 days, complete 384,400 km together, and join from anywhere in the world. As a Green University, the main goal of the UP was to promote cycling as an environmentally friendly means of transport.
Travelling more than eight hundred thousand kilometres saves 200.96 tons of carbon dioxide compared to having travelled this distance with a medium petrol car (1700cm3 - 2000cm3). The amount of greenhouse gas saved equals the mass of carbon dioxide sequestered by 2,923 50-year-old trees during a growing season.
This year’s challenge involved many university citizens, UP’s corporate and higher education partners, alumni, and our compatriots from the diaspora, from India to Argentina. Károly Mindum, an ultra-triathlon alumnus, was present, and Bence Bicsák, another alumnus of UP, was also present during his preparation for the Olympics.
In 2021, the partners were the following: the organizer of the Tour de Hongrie, which is one of the most prestigious Hungarian cycling competitions, the Vuelta Sports Office, the Hungarian Cycling Club, the Hungarian University-College Sports Association, the Hungarian Leisure Sports Association, the Pannon Hőerőmű Zrt., Hell Energy, which is the member of the Veolia Group in Pécs, and David Lappartient, president of the Switzerland-based Union Cycliste Internationale welcomed the program as well.
Hungarian and international universities and high schools, the local governments of the region, PSN Zrt., and several tour and competition organizers were also active participants and sponsors of the program. Thanks to Diákhitel Központ Zrt., the organizers also drew an Apple MacBook among the high school students. Thanks to the sponsors, the participants were also able to win a valuable bicycle and various bicycle accessories and a bicycle tour and fitness pass.
Source:
PTE
Photo:
Szabolcs Csortos/UnivPécs