“They often have old bicycles with all kinds of things wrong with them. Then it is nice if they can go to school safely,” explains teacher Margo Bos. “We will solve the defects and then they can safely enter traffic again.”
Classmate Toprak is happy with the repairs, because he uses his bicycle often. “Always,” he laughs. “I don’t cycle much to other cities, but in Hoogeveen I go everywhere by bike.”
Drenthe municipalities and the province of Drenthe have been campaigning for years to highlight the importance of good bicycle lighting. Last year, the bicycles of international students were refurbished in Emmen.
Bos hopes that it will be a permanent thing in Hoogeveen. “We hope so. It would be great if we could continue to help the students in this way.”
Toprak is now admiring his repaired bicycle. His lighting did not work and had to be repaired. He jerks the front wheel, causing the dynamo to send some energy to the lights. And sure enough, the lights come on. “Now I can cycle safely again,” he concludes with a smile.