Microforests and bicycles: outdoor routes

The Pump Track project represents a sustainable investment in the future of the school community and the ecological balance of the region, reinforcing the role of schools as spaces for active citizenship and climate responsibility.

General Framework

Storm Kristin caused significant damage to the urban ecosystems of Marinha Grande and Leiria, significantly affecting the green spaces integrated into educational establishments. This reality created not only the need to recover destroyed natural areas, but also the opportunity to rethink the relationship between the school community and the environment, promoting new learning dynamics in a real-world context. The implementation of a bicycle track at the Nery Capucho Basic School, belonging to the Marinha Grande Nascente School Group (AEMGN), emerges as an ecological, educational, and community response, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 – Climate Action, and SDG 15 – Life on Land). This pump track, integrated into the microforest, will enhance active learning in context and strengthen environmental citizenship practices, promoting healthy physical habits and practices such as the use of bicycles as an alternative means of transport. The successful experience of implementing microforests, developed by and with the support of the Aga Khan Foundation, serves as a reference and model to be implemented in our educational territory, which, combined with the bicycle path, fosters greater interaction between the student and nature.

Enquadramento no Território

Scientific and Technical Basis

A Pump Track is more than just a recreational circuit; it's a state-of-the-art sports infrastructure designed for maximum biomechanical efficiency. The concept is based on a closed circuit composed of a succession of rollers and berms, where the user generates speed through the "pumping" technique—the dynamic transfer of body weight. In this space, gravity and kinetic energy replace the need to pedal or propel with the feet, creating a continuous flow experience that is both challenging and addictive for users of bicycles, skateboards, scooters, or roller skates.

A pump track is based on principles of physics (conservation of energy and centripetal force) and biomechanics. The goal is to transform potential energy and vertical body movement into kinetic energy (horizontal velocity). Integrating a pump track into a forest environment combines the technical benefits of sport with the therapeutic and ecological advantages of contact with nature, known as Green Exercise. The implementation of this structure aims to achieve four fundamental pillars:

• Democratization of Sport: To offer an inclusive and free space, accessible to all ages (from 2 to 80 years old) and all skill levels.

• Motor Development: To promote the improvement of balance, coordination, reflexes, and physical endurance in a controlled environment.

• Social Cohesion: To create an intergenerational meeting point that promotes healthy coexistence and respect for the rules of sports etiquette.

• Territorial Enhancement: Rehabilitating spaces (whether urban or integrated into forests), transforming them into active leisure destinations that attract visitors and residents.

Exemplo

About the author

It resulted from the merger of the Prof. Alberto Nery Capucho School Group with the Pinhal do Rei Secondary School on April 24, 2013, encompassing Pre-School Education, Basic Education, and Secondary Education (Regular and Vocational). The Group is composed of several organic units:

The school group provides academic services to 2124 students from 28 different nationalities.

The diversity of the public, resulting from the city's multicultural growth, combined with the increase in compulsory schooling to 18 years of age, requires educational agents to develop strategies that contribute to solving problems related to school failure and dropout, promoting effective social inclusion.

The school cluster has essential technical and pedagogical resources and equipment that ensure the quality of student learning. It offers Special Education services, Psychology and Guidance services, and Speech Therapy services. The cluster has three libraries integrated into the School Libraries network (Nery Capucho, Pinhal do Rei and EB João Beare) and two Media Centers (EB Comeira and EB Engenho).

AEMGN is committed to an Inclusive School that aims to meet the diverse needs of students, where each one has the opportunity to find educational solutions according to their expectations and potential. Therefore, one of the major challenges is adapting teaching processes to the individual characteristics and conditions of each student, through the mobilization of support measures for learning and inclusion, and the provision of resources so that all students have access to the curriculum and learning opportunities.

AEMGN provides support to students with specific needs, distributed across different educational cycles, from preschool to the twelfth grade. The learning support center includes specialized support for multiple disabilities in the 3rd cycle of basic education and secondary education, and a similar service is being created for the 2nd cycle of basic education.

Budget and due dates

Technical Description of the Intervention

This project, the construction of the Pump Track, is supported by 4 stages.

Pump Track Project: Sport, Community and Nature

The Concept: The Art of Perpetual Motion A Pump Track is more than just a leisure circuit; in this space, gravity and kinetic energy replace the need to pedal or propel with your feet, creating a continuous flow experience that is simultaneously challenging and addictive for users of bicycles, skateboards, scooters, or roller skates.

Construction Phases: From Ground to Flow The construction of a high-quality pump track requires technical precision and strictly follows these steps:

Phase I: 2D/3D Study and Modeling

It all begins with an analysis of the terrain. The layout is defined based on the available area, ensuring that the design allows for efficient water drainage and a perfect flow between curves and straight lines.

Phase II: Earthmoving and Shaping

At this stage, the terrain takes shape. The foundations for the humps and curves are created using compacted soil. It is here that the technical angles that will allow for the conservation of momentum are defined.

Phase III: Paving and Finishing

Depending on the (forest) context, the final layer is applied. The surrounding areas are sealed and prepared to receive signage or vegetation.

Phase IV: Landscaping and Security

The final phase focuses on aesthetic integration and safety. We install protective zones, rest areas, and ensure that the track blends into the surrounding environment, which is especially important in projects located in nature.

Implementation and Budgeting Steps

The implementation of the pump track involves carrying out the steps indicated below, which allow for support and consultancy, the provision of training and capacity-building activities for teachers and non-teaching staff, land preparation, acquisition of species not available in the nursery, acquisition of challenging equipment for the track, as well as the construction of the track on compacted earth, completely eliminating asphalt.

Pump Track:

The estimated total budget for the implementation of Pump Track 32 is €793.34, distributed across technical consultancy, capacity building, preparation and planting, as well as initial maintenance and equipment acquisition.

This investment ensures the correct technical execution of the pump track, as well as its ecological viability in the medium and long term. Conducting contextual learning activities provides students with the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that promote meaningful learning through immersive experiences linked to real-life situations.

This track will allow for a significant improvement in the Group's project, "Go by Bike," which includes preschool, primary, and secondary school students. The coordination of activities is ensured by two physical education teachers responsible for developing the "Go by Bike" project, students, non-teaching staff, parents and guardians, as well as local partners.

Images

Documents

• Memória Descritiva do Projeto

  pdf • 593.14 KB

• Orçamento - Empresa

  pdf • 129.57 KB

• Número Individual Pessoa Coletiva

  pdf • 174.3 KB