Inspiring lives

and bike in
Niterói
02
COORDINATION
FÁTIMA PRISCILA MORELA EDRA, who, after giving up biking,
rediscovered the pleasures of this lifestyle in the city of Niterói.

SCRIPT
RAQUEL MARINS DO NASCIMENTO, who learned to ride a bike
without training wheels while taking the trash from home to the
apartment complex's entrance.

LETÍCIA MOREIRA MUNIZ, who learned to ride a bike without

training wheels by going around the tree in her backyard.

FORMATTING
RAFAELA DE SIQUEIRA SCHWANTES MARINHO

YASMIN BARROS DIAS

TRANSLATOR
MARIA SCHIMMELPFENG FERNANDES

PHOTOS belong to interviewees' personal archives.

A PROJECT BY:

SUPPORT:
 INTRODUCTION
Sometimes, we look at bike riders on the streets and
think: that's not for me, I'm scared… we forget that
those bike riders, one day, had to learn how to ride a
bike, have fallen off of it…

Reading this material leads us to realize that's not all.

Riding a bike also represents overcoming
challenges, getting up everyday and realizing we're
fragile, but, when riding, we become stronger. We
learn that a bicycle brings people, couples and
families together.

May "our" stories encourage you to experience

inspiring lives and bikes!

Fátima Priscila Morela Edra

04
INDEX
INDEX
 RIDING IN A SUIT
Sérgio Franco learned to ride a
bike when he was a kid, and in
the early 2000s, when he lived in
the neighborhood of Icaraí, he
started to use it as his transport
of choice after hearing from his
German friend that she rode her
bike to work.

Inspired by her, he started doing

the same. While riding to work
wearing a suit, he was met with
judgmental looks during his
commute, as it was uncommon
for people to bike around Niterói
city, especially while wearing a
suit.
From then on, his connection with
the bicycle grew, and he became
part of cycling groups that met in
Laranjeiras, a neighborhood in
the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro,
because the bike movement
wasn't very strong in Niterói.
Sérgio got involved in activism
and, in his quest to find
arguments for these causes, he
created the cycling activist
collective Mobilidade Niterói
(Niterói Mobility).

07
 RIDING IN A SUIT
In his words, "There was a sense that something was
happening," and he began to wonder where were the
people who wanted to bike but didn't for various reasons.
Through the "Repressed Demand" research, the
collective was able to prove that 94% of those
interviewed would use a bicycle as a means of
transportation if certain demands were met. The team
was also able to provide enough data and arguments for
the Araribóia Bike Station project to move forward,
identifying the necessary size of the station, along with
various other data available on the blog
"http://mobilidadeniteroi.blogspot.com/?m=1".

He recognizes that it was a

collaborative effort because
while the collective provided data
and arguments, Pedal Sonoro
(Audible Pedal) – another bicycle
group in the city – encouraged
people to start biking again and
drew attention to the movement.
Sérgio is very proud to see that all
of their efforts were just the
beginning of the changes still
happening in the city. Nowadays,
he uses his bicycle, nicknamed
Berenice, to commute to work
and for leisure on weekends
around the city of Niterói.

08
 CYCLIST AND ACTIVIST
Ana Carboni got her first bike
when she was 13. She and her
family lived on João Pessoa
Street in the neighborhood of
Icaraí, where she made many
memories with her bike during
her teens. From that moment on,
the bicycle became a tool of
freedom in her life, as she used it
to go to the neighborhood of São
Francisco to meet her friends or
to go to Praia Clube – a country
club.

The bicycle became a constant

presence in her life. "Cycling is
fundamental to me, I ride the bike
more than I walk," she said.

Ana used her silver Ceci until she

left the country in 1998, and the
first thing she did upon returning
to Niterói in 2014 was to get a
bike. During one of her rides, a
friend invited her to one of the
Pedal Sonoro meetings, which
consists of themed musical bike
rides held at least twice a month
throughout the city of Niterói.

09
 CYCLIST AND ACTIVIST
She was invited to volunteer with Pedal Sonoro, and
shortly after, to join the Bike Anjo (Angel Bike) network in
Rio de Janeiro. As an instructor at the Escola Bike Anjo
— a project to teach people of all ages how to ride a bike
— she was one of those responsible for bringing the
project to Niterói.

Upon returning to her hometown, she studied the Traffic

Code, which in 1998 included bicycles as vehicles. From
that reading, she realized that the experience on the
streets did not coincide with what was written in the
code, and she began to fight for cyclists' rights.

Therefore, Ana started

participating in the Critical Mass,
street assemblies, and public
hearings, all in favor of bicycles
and especially cyclists. She
continues to strive to make a
difference, now at the federal
level — she currently lives in
Brasília and works to improve
road safety, advocating for the
readjustment of speed limits on
urban roads.

10
 CYCLIST AND ACTIVIST
Celestina, Penelope, Pippi, Cecília, and Angelita are
some of the names Ana has given to her bicycles,
showing the affection she has always had for them.

As she rides through the streets of Niterói, Ana is

moved by the number of cyclists riding more safely, but
she acknowledges that there is still much work to be
done. She also encourages those close to her to use
bicycles in their daily lives, and her son and her
husband are an example of this, they ride bikes for
commuting and leisure.

11
 MUSTACHES AND CYCLING
Vivian, born and raised in Niterói,
started cycling as a child and
had her adolescence marked by
a game in which, while creating
her imaginary city, she used the
bicycle as a means of
transportation. This fantasy
turned into reality in her adult life
in an unexpected context.

It all began when her mother

participated in a bingo game and
ended up winning a brand-new
bicycle. Using it for quick trips
from one neighborhood to
another, Vivian's mother stopped
by an optician and learned about
a bike ride organized by Pedal
Sonoro. Excited, not even the rain
was able to stop her. She told her
daughter she was going on the
ride and left. However, as the
hours passed, Vivian became
anxious due to the heavy rain and
unanswered calls.

12
 MUSTACHES AND CYCLING
Suddenly, her mother arrived home drenched and with
a mustache stuck on her face. She explained that it was
an edition of Pedal Sonoro with the theme of the British
band Queen, and everyone was wearing fake
mustaches. The situation made them both laugh and
motivated Vivian to think, "I don't know what's going on,
but I want this."

That same week, she went to

a bike shop, bought a red bike,
and thought, "Okay, next
edition, I'm going." And she
did. During the 2014 World
Cup, another ride took place,
where her "mental map" of
routes through the city
changed completely from
being on two wheels.

In her own words, "I went head

first" to the bike point. Arriving
earlier than expected, she saw

people arriving on rollerblades, skateboards, and

bicycles, and to this day, she remembers the warm
feeling in her heart.

13
 MUSTACHES AND CYCLING
Feeling at home, Vivian
suggested ideas for future
editions and met Ana Carboni,
who shortly after invited her to
join the organization of Pedal
Sonoro along with her mother,
and they became great
friends. Their friendship
continued strong through
cycling, leading them to gather
a group that would start Bike
Anjo Niterói. Motivated by the
transformative power in urban
lives and the existing need in
Rio, the foundation added
value to the city and initiated a new journey in their
lives.

Vivian recalls the time they created a petition for a

future bike station in the city and remembers people
signing it with some disbelief about the outcome that
was later achieved.

During her undergraduate studies in Social Sciences,

the bicycle engaged various areas that still mark her
life today. The relationship between mother and
daughter, always marked by a lack of time, changed
as they grew closer through cycling, and their bond
became stronger, sharing friendships thanks to Pedal
Sonoro.

14
 MUSTACHES AND CYCLING
Her cycling experiences increased, and Vivian, "the
bike girl everywhere," inspired many friends and
couples to use the bicycle as a mode of transportation.
Laughing, she says, "We inspire people to join the
church of Christ on a bike."

Always accompanied, whether by Mafalda—her

folding "bike angel" because it is present at all network
events—by the Communist, or by Clementine, Vivian
likes to cycle along the Boa Viagem waterfront to
Flechas beach in the late afternoon or occasionally
along the Itaipu canal, which, in her view, is one of the
most beautiful places in the city offered by the bicycle.
She gets there and thinks about how good life is.

15
 65 MILES AND $$$
Now 28 years old and living in Niterói, André Brandão
recalls his journey with cycling. Born in Goiânia, he
moved states to Tocantins at the age of 4, which he
considers his hometown.

Among many memories, he fondly recalls the first time

he learned to ride a bike without holding the handlebars.
According to him, "it was one of the coolest milestones
of childhood biking." Despite crashing into poles and
falling on tracks, he never got discouraged. Because of
the ease of getting around, he soon started using the
bicycle frequently as a means of transportation during
his adolescence.
In 2011, a new adventure
began. He moved to Rio de
Janeiro to study at the Sesc
High School. There, he
participated in the bicycle
workshop for three years,
organized and supervised
bike rides in Barra, a
neighborhood, and gained
practical and theoretical
knowledge that he has
carried with him for life.

That boy from the North region, who used to cycle up to

6 miles to get to school, saw the sea for the first time
while biking and realized the vastness of the
metropolitan city.

16
 65 MILES AND $$$
Due to the smaller size of Niterói and the real possibility
of studying architecture and urbanism at the Federal
Fluminense University (UFF), he moved to Niterói in 2014.
Despite not knowing Niterói well, he stepped out of his
comfort zone and began exploring it. He was so excited
that he bought a beach cruiser bike, which unfortunately
was stolen just a month later.
From then on, he was indignant and, in his youthful
intensity, declared he didn't want another bicycle
anytime soon. However, life didn't let him stray from the
path he'd been on since childhood, and within a few
weeks, there was André riding a bike assembled from a
frame and fork he found in the trash.

Due to the demands of living alone, André began selling

jar cakes and natural guarana at university restaurants.
Many times, he found himself rushing to juggle studies
and informal work.

With the rise of delivery apps, it was natural for him to

enter this market given his cycling experience on urban
roads. On his first day, he was very excited. Despite the
rain, completing three deliveries made him quite happy
with his monetary success. From then on, he dedicated
himself more and more. At first, he made deliveries from
6 PM to midnight.

17
 65 MILES AND $$$
However, with challenge strategies set by the platforms,
he started making deliveries from 7 AM until early
morning. There's no romanticizing here. Although he
loved cycling, this kind of routine often made him not
even want to look at the bike. It wasn't uncommon for
him to cycle more than 65 miles a day and 1,550 miles a
month.

He kept his bills paid at the cost

of physical and mental
exhaustion, declining academic
performance, and navigating
chaotic and dangerous traffic.
Despite extensive cycling for
deliveries, he still needed to
supplement his income with
other sources like research and
still selling jar cakes.

The cyclist-André, however, was always alive and above

the deliveryman-André. To get to know the city he came
to love, he cycled through different places, in different
situations, passing through unknown streets, and
creating different routes to the same destination.

His experiences as a deliveryman and resident added

value when he interviewed for an internship at the
Niterói Bicycle Coordination (CONIB). According to him, "
(cycling) gives different perceptions than those who walk
or use public and private transportation, providing a very
rich and beneficial view of the city."

18
 65 MILES AND $$$
His love for bicycles and the positive excitement of the
idea of working in an urban planning-related field
motivated him to move forward.

Currently, he says he often feels happy seeing people

who didn't cycle or hadn't cycled in a long time allowing
themselves to ride a little, like Zezé, his girlfriend's
nephew, who is being encouraged to remove the training
wheels from his bike.

With good humor and sincerity, he says: "I don't want to

be the best, I just want to do something positive in the
lives of those around me."

Whether cycling his favorite route from the Center Zone

to the neighborhood of Jurujuba on his dream road bike
named Spider or working with the CONB team, André
inspires many in the cycling community.

19
 GROWING UP ON A BIKE
Cláudio Santos' story with the bicycle in Niterói began
when he was learning to read, at age 6. He still
remembers his mother telling him there was a surprise
in the backyard. Excited, he went to the backyard and
found a red Caloi with 20-inch wheels, a gift from his
father who owned a bike shop. In his own words, "It was
love at first sight."

No matter the place—beach, school, friends' houses—

he constantly wanted to use his bike and cover
increasingly longer distances. "I grew up always with my
bike by my side."
At 11, he started working at
the bike shop, and at 14, he
received a Caloi Cross
Extralight and began
participating in BMX races
in the city. At the time, BMX
tracks were trendy due to
the influence of the movie
E.T., but while everyone
wanted a BMX bike,
Cláudio was happy with his.

20
 GROWING UP ON A BIKE
At 18, he started studying business administration at
UFF and law at Cândido Mendes University. By then, his
father's business had grown into a larger store known as
Central das Bicicletas (Bike Central). With this growth in
mind, Cláudio continued his studies at the Federal
University.

During this period, he opened a business in the same

field with his cousin, Bicicletas Amazonas—now
Amazonas Bike. Despite different stores, he is still
grateful for his early start in the business, as it was his
father who taught him to fix bikes, serve customers, and
make sales.

Over time, he noticed the bicycle changing according to

his needs and desires. From a playful tool as a child, it
became a sports tool as a young adult and is now his
work tool.

Cláudio affectionately states, "My whole life has been

linked to bicycles." He formed a mountain bike team
known as Amazonas Bike Team, in which he won several
titles. He was president of the Cycling Federation in 2009
and became president of the Fiscal Council of the
Cycling Confederation in 2017. Today, he is the
president of the Association of Sports Journalists of Rio
de Janeiro. Meanwhile, he expanded Amazonas Bike,
opening a branch and an e-commerce site, and wrote
two books.

21
 GROWING UP ON A BIKE
His journey in the field is
long. In his youth, he
organized his first event in
partnership with Monark,
marked by nervousness,
curiosity, and sympathetic
laughter, engaging in the
attempt to do his best. The
result was good enough for
him to be invited by Sesc
(Social Service of
Commerce) to hold the
second version of the event.
Thus, Niterói became the
first setting for a new phase
in his life.
With years of experience, the rides and competitions he
organized broke the borders of Rio, reaching the entire
state. Cláudio has organized over 160 cycling events in a
single year, with the participation of 20,000 cyclists of
different ages.

Having grown up in Niterói, he witnessed the expansion

of the city's bike network, humorously recalling one of his
events related to the bike lane in Icaraí. It all started
when Mário Dias, a journalist from the Niterói City Hall,
invited him to organize a bike ride in honor of Saint
George, given that the holiday for the saint was
approaching.

22
 GROWING UP ON A BIKE
The journalist cleverly asked Cláudio what he wanted in
return for organizing the ride. The young man, at 18,
expressed his desire for a bike lane in the city, and that
was enough to seal the deal. The bike ride through the
city took place, and the "bike lane on the Icaraí
promenade" was also implemented a few months later,
though it was considered the smallest bike lane in the
world, garnering comments about the city.

This event remained in Cláudio's memory to the point of

being fully revealed in recent days when he heard the
story of the bike lane at a public hearing. According to
one of the workers from that time, “Mário Dias was not
the author behind that project, but rather the NitTrans
staff who, in an attempt to avoid traffic congestion,
made a recess on the Icaraí sidewalk for bicycles as a
solution for cars. In other words, the journalist promised
something knowing it was already going to happen."

Considering his long rides and stories to tell, the bicycle

is also a part of each family member in their own way.
While Cláudio practices mountain biking, his wife does
spinning, his eldest son not only rides daily but also likes
to use a stationary bike while watching a movie; and the
youngest uses an electric bike around the city.

Since 2001, the family has cycled together to the city of

Aparecida do Norte, collecting stories that will one day
be told with much happiness.

23
 ALWAYS BY MY SIDE
Living in an apartment next to Horto do Fonseca, Marcelo
started cycling frequently in the mid-80s.

His work journey began at Rádio Fluminense when he

was only 14 years old. During the rise of rock radio,
Marcelo cycled on weekends towards the Icaraí
promenade, enjoying the tranquility of riding alongside
cars until the late 90s.

Recently, he found the receipt for the Monark 10

purchased at Amazonas Bike during the advertising
peak against Caloi 10, its direct competitor.

Recalling his rides, he has had falls and even an accident

that couldn't bring him down. On a cycling day out with a
friend in Niterói, he ended up
having an accident when his
bike got stuck, causing him
to fall and hurt his chin.

Marcelo got up calmly and

went to Antônio Pedro
University Hospital. He still
remembers the excellent
care received from a
medical student with green
eyes.

24
 ALWAYS BY MY SIDE
After this day, he overcame
the fear of cycling on the
streets and embarked on a
new journey upon seeing the
city's urban interventions over
time.

Considering his work at radio

stations like CBN and Globo
FM, the time came when a
radio program that focused
on his passion for two wheels
emerged.
Working at the Institute of Arts and Social
Communication of UFF, in 2017, students introduced to
sound media were excited to build something new.
When they asked Marcelo for help, the question arose,
"Have you ever thought about what a city would look like
if cycling and walking were more encouraged?"

Knowing Niterói, whether as a pedestrian, cyclist, or even

through cycling tours organized by Pedal Sonoro, the
idea of ​the city becoming more people-centric and less
car-centric gained space in his mind.

25
 ALWAYS BY MY SIDE
Involving active mobility and the humanization of urban
space, the show Bicicleta e Companhia [trans: Bike and
Co.] emerged, which is currently broadcast on four radio
stations, three in Brazil and one in Portugal.

Since then, it has been an extensive but rewarding

journey, seeing his partners in broadcasting progress in
their professional careers and in the use of the bike as a
mode of transportation.

Moreover, Marcelo always has a longtime companion by

his side: the bicycle.

26
 FAMILY ON WHEELS
The following story isn't just about one person but about
a family united on wheels.

Let's start with Priscila, who, a few years ago, considered

herself a terrible cyclist and now humorously claims, "I
think I'm the best cyclist in the house." Her marriage to
Marcelo, who used the bicycle as a means of
transportation to work when he still lived in Rio de
Janeiro, changed her life. After the wedding and the
move to Niterói, they found themselves without a car.

Four years later, Priscila, who is a teacher, faced a

challenge when she had to assign students at the
college where they needed to present a tourism proposal
related to bicycle mobility based on the Niterói que
Queremos [trans: The Niterói We Want] project
developed by the city hall.

Knowing little about cycling,

Priscila invited people from
the cycling sector to give
lectures to the students, and
through this, she also began
learning and discovering a
new world.

27
 FAMILY ON WHEELS
At the end of a lecture, after
recounting her "disharmony"
with bicycles, she was asked
what bicycle she used, and
she realized her mistake; the
bicycle model should
correspond to her size. Thus,
she was motivated to buy a
folding bike. According to her,
"The time was now."

In the meantime, Marcelo and Priscila had already had a

child, and Marcelo dreamed of cycling with his son,
Miguel, in the child seat of the bike.

Searching the internet, he found what he called "ideal"

on the other side of Guanabara Bay, which, to him, made
the purchase more interesting due to the possibility of
transporting the bike by ferry.

Moments between father and son became common in

their routine. When taking and picking up his son from
daycare, he exercised while enjoying the company of the
little one. The breeze on his face, the excitement of
putting on the helmet, and having a partner in the
backseat are cherished memories.

28
 FAMILY ON WHEELS
A memorable day was when Miguel bought his helmet
with his own money. Marcelo was traveling for work, and
on that day, Niterói was hosting the event "a day with no
car." Priscila and Miguel went to the Amazonas Bike
store.
Together, they brought a red
pot of vitamin supplement,
which was Miguel's piggy bank,
to buy a new helmet. Amidst
various simultaneous services
in the store, the product was
chosen, and it was time to pay.
Mother and son poured out the
piggy bank on the counter and
started counting the coins;
Miguel remembers the amount
fondly to this day, R$45,00. The
next day, mother and son went
on their first ride together, a memory etched in their
minds.

During the uphill climb between the entrance to the UFF

campus near Solar do Jambeiro and Boa Viagem
Beach, Priscila felt the weight required in the climb, and
Miguel began to motivate her by shouting, "Go, Mom, you
can do it," and indeed she did.

29
 FAMILY ON WHEELS
The situation caught the attention of people around
them and resulted in a photo taken by Ana Carboni that
is still cherished to this day. At the end of the ride, when
everyone dispersed, they had to return alone "with
courage and determination." Regarding that day, Priscila
says, "We passed the test and never stopped cycling
together."

Time passed, Miguel grew up, and the family's cycling

stories increased. For Miguel, the bike has always been
part of his daily life.

He recalls his journey to school on a bike in the company

of his father, who was also on a bike; every day, he
asked, "Dad, when can I go to school alone by bike?" and
the answer was always the same "I'll start thinking about
it in fourth grade." Finally, the situation was considered
by the parents, and in fifth grade, Miguel's solo ride to
school became a reality; he was the only one in his class
to do the route.
Recalling unusual bicycle
situations in the city always
brings many laughs to the
family. On weekends, they
enjoy cycling to the country
club in Charitas where they
sail.

30
 FAMILY ON WHEELS
One day, during the journey in São Francisco, Marcelo's
bike tire punctured, and everyone's question was: what
now? Marcelo decided to cross the street and lock the
bike to a rack and then continue the journey by bus while
Priscila and Miguel continued to their destination by bike.
But Priscila decided to look at the route, and although at
first, she thought it was a mirage because the family
always made that trip and had never seen it before, she
noticed it was real: a man riding a cargo bike with a box
that said S.O.S BIKE. The flat tire was fixed, and the
family's ride continued.

Another route that the family enjoys very much is going

to the district of Itaipu. According to Miguel's good
memory, they have already covered over 13 miles!

Even the street they currently live on is remembered

fondly. Years ago, while cycling down the road, with Dad
in front, Son in the middle, and Mom on the back, they
were surprised by a couple of friends who passed by
honking, delighted to see Miguel so small riding so well.

Marcelo, Miguel, and Priscila, together, ride through

Icaraí, São Francisco, and "Wherever they feel like,"
depending on their mood. With forgotten lock keys, trips
marked by the search for bicycles to explore places, and
weekends filled with family moments, they are creating
memories on wheels.

31
 THE LEGACY
Caio Castanheira is a resident of Santa Rosa, Niterói,
and his story with the bicycle began very early. At the
age of just 4, he learned to ride without training wheels in
the village where he grew up, always receiving support
from his family. From then on, Caio started using the
bicycle to go to daycare, then to school, and now the
bike is part of his daily routine.

He and his father used to ride side by side, and as he got

older, he started cycling with friends, going to places like
Itacoatiara, Icaraí, and making everyday trips, such as
going to his internship and even to college.

This way, he could get to know the city where he grew up

in a different way than usual. The bicycle is so present in
his life that, as Caio himself said, "It seems like the bike
and I are the same person."

32
 THE LEGACY
Currently, his nephew, who is 4 years old, is also
receiving this support from the family. He has already
learned to ride, including riding handsfree. "It seems like
the cycle is repeating itself," said Caio.

The bicycle has been present in all phases of Caio's life,

creating numerous memories for him, all thanks to the
support and influence of his family. This is something so
ingrained in his family culture that even years after the
start of Caio's bicycle story, the same thing is happening
with his nephew.

33
 A HALF HOUR THAT
LASTED 120 MINUTES
Helena Porto is a cyclist, graduated in architecture and
urbanism, working at the Niterói Bicycle Coordination,
and has always seen the bike as a powerful tool for
developing motor skills, as well as improving confidence
and self-esteem during childhood.

Helena is the mother of Paco, who, at just 3 years old, is

already immersed in the world of bicycles.

She recounts that her son has been riding in the front
child seat since he was very young, and it was something
very special for both of them. "He looks around and
comments on everything, and you have that sweet-
smelling nape in front of you."

Nowadays, in the rear child

seat, they both make the
journey from Helena's work,
which goes from Tibau to
downtown Niterói and lasts
about 1 hour with the electric
bicycle. According to Helena,
Paco loves passing through
the Cafubá tunnel and has
completely adapted to the
change from the front to the
rear seat.

34
 A HALF HOUR THAT
LASTED 120 MINUTES
Being in contact with the bicycle from a very young age,
Paco is seeking new challenges and has started to show
interest in the São Francisco Skatepark, where Helena
takes him to ride.

He used to ride his balance bike around the track until

one day, when Helena was returning from work by car
around 9 p.m., Paco noticed they would pass in front of
the Skatepark and asked Helena to ride for a bit.

As soon as they arrived, Paco asked his mother to stay

by his side, but after a few laps, he started riding the
whole track alone. Helena thought the fun would last only
30 minutes, but it lasted 2 hours.

"It's something we both love,

that brings us together," said
Helena with a smile on her
face, as it's a moment where
they can both enjoy together.
And, from an early age, Paco
could see the city through the
eyes of a cyclist, thanks to his
mother's encouragement.

35
 3 PEOPLE, + BIKES
Carlos Eduardo, known as Cadu, has always enjoyed
cycling, and as a teenager, he used his bike to go to
Itaipu and Itacoatiara Beaches.

When he got his driver's license, this habit began to fade

away until he met his wife, Luiza, in 2018. She was
physically active and encouraged Cadu to take back
cycling.

When she got pregnant, the couple, who lived in Rio de

Janeiro, moved to the Engenho do Mato neighborhood in
Niterói in search of a quieter place for their daughter to
grow up.
Because it was a more remote
location, they used the car a
lot to get around, but gradually
transitioned to bikes, until in
2021 they sold the car, keeping
only the bicycles.

Laura, Cadu's daughter, had

her first contact with a bike at
a very young age when her
father took her for a short ride
after receiving the front bike
seat as a Father's Day gift.

36
 3 PEOPLE, + BIKES
At 2 years old, Laura received her balance bike, and
although she had some difficulty at first, with time and
encouragement from her parents, she got the hang of it
and learned to balance.

At 3 years old, she got her first pedal bike and couldn't
ride it right away. But after going to a party where there
was a bike with training wheels and taking a few spins,
she gained confidence. A few days later, she tried to ride
again on the bike she had been given.
Cadu helped, but it didn't take
long for her to learn to ride on
her own, and very excitedly,
she wanted to teach her
school friends how to ride.

Cadu says that currently, at 4

years old, Laura rides her bike
to school every day, and
although she can't read yet,
she already recognizes signs
and follows the rules taught by
her parents, such as always
riding on the right and always respecting signs. "It's like
we're with a famous child," he says, because wherever
they go, Laura's skill and cleverness impress due to her
young age.

37
 3 PEOPLE, + BIKES
Inspired by his friend Helena Porto, from Niterói de
Bicicleta, they bought an electric bike to cover longer
distances with Laura in the rear bike seat.

In total, the family has 6 bikes, and when they have

friends over and decide to go somewhere, they only go
by bike. As Cadu says, "It's part of our lifestyle, the ride is
really worth it."

Weekend outings also involve bikes, and their favorite

places to ride are the Charitas Tunnel, Campo de São
Bento, Icaraí beaches, Piratininga, Itaipu, and
Itacoatiara.

38
 THE ADVENTURER
Erineu Muniz is a resident of São Gonçalo, but since he
was young, he has used the streets of Niterói to build
unforgettable memories.

His story with the bicycle began when one of his sisters
got a bike as a gift, but she hardly ever used it. Being a
very curious teenager, Erineu started modifying it, and
the nickname it received was "Incredible Hulk" because
of its green color. But after all the modifications, it
became known as Frankenstein.

He recalls that as a teenager,

he and his friends often went
to Itaipu Beach. While some
took the bus from the
Alcântara terminal to Itaipu
Beach, he and others rode
their bikes, taking the same
route as the bus and often
arriving before their friends
who took the bus.

Despite the falls he experienced when he was younger

due to his adventurous spirit, he never stopped cycling.
What was once merely a means to get places for him is
now a way to destress and enjoy nature.

39
 THE ADVENTURER
"I cycle aimlessly a lot," he said. And it was on one of
these rides, observing a group of cyclists entering a
street, later discovered to be called Rua Itália, and
asking where they were going, that he was introduced to
Caminho de Darwin [trans: Darwin's Path], a stretch that
connects the landscapes of Niterói and Maricá and is
widely used by cyclists.

He describes it as a very enjoyable experience because

he enjoys being in contact with nature and there he
discovered that trails are his favorite places.

Cycling is something he appreciates so much that he

influences friends to take up the activity, and in 2020 it
was the way he and his wife, Munique, found to exercise
during the isolation period, as well as to spend more time
together.

Thus, he, who used to create

memories alone, began to
collect moments with her. They
both enjoy cycling along the
shore, making the journey from
Fort Gragoatá to Santa Cruz
Fortress, passing through the
Charitas Cafubá tunnel, as
well as exploring trails
together.

40
 TOOTHLAND
Dentinho [trans: Little Tooth], a nickname earned from
the competitions he participated in early in his career, is
actually named Luiz Cláudio. Like many boys, he
dreamed of having a bicycle when he was a child. This
desire was sparked by his early involvement in sports,
given that Niterói was a very active city.

He used to visit an old BMX track, which was located

where the Caminho Niemeyer is today, and he was very
interested in the sport. One day, he was watching a
sports channel and heard about mountain biking for the
first time. This sport involves riding over uneven terrain
and obstacles, typically on trails.

To start practicing, he swapped his bicycle and began

making modifications to ride the trails in Niterói, as
mountain biking was very limited to a small group of
people at that time.
Currently, Dentinho has been
practicing mountain biking for
over 30 years and never
imagined the sport would grow
to the extent it has today. “We
started with half a dozen
people and now there are
thousands watching on-site or
on TV,” he said. For him, it’s
very gratifying to have
witnessed the early days and
to see athletes now competing
for Olympic spots.

41
 TOOTHLAND
He teaches mountain biking from Monday to Friday,
sharing all the knowledge and techniques he has
acquired over time with his students. His classes are held
on the trails in the Várzea das Moças area, which his
friends call “Toothland” due to his significant influence in
the community and because of his project “Our Trails,
Our Home,” which involves managing the trails in the
region where he lives.

Dentinho is an athlete who has competed in over 500

tournaments and has participated in competitions for 16
consecutive weekends.

42
 HAPPINESS
Luís Carlos discovered the bike in an unusual
environment. As a descendant of slaves through his
grandfather, he grew up in a quilombo in the interior of
Maranhão in the 1950s. Recalling his stories, he says,
“That talk of not forgetting my Caloi wasn't for me,”
because he didn’t even know what a bicycle was. The
first time he saw a bicycle, he was about 7 years old and
was fascinated by the mechanism that could transport
people in a way different from riding a horse or donkey,
walking, or the rare motor vehicles seen from afar.

He wanted to use the bicycle

for fun, but circumstances only
allowed him to use it for
transportation. He moved to
the state of Rio de Janeiro in
1973, around the time the
Caloi 10 emerged. While
racing bikes were gaining
market share and Brazil was
entering the cycling world, Luís
arrived to work as a chemical
technician. He stayed in that
field for 23 years before
starting a law degree. He
graduated and practiced law for another 23 years.
Throughout his 46 years of work, the bicycle was his
companion, sometimes for transportation and
sometimes for leisure.

43
 HAPPINESS
Six years ago, he entered the world of mountain bike
competitions, but his story is unique. In a Rio de Janeiro
bike touring agency run by a friend, he began doing
weekend trails in different cities. When he moved to
Niterói, he continued the habit and discovered new
routes. In his words, “The trails in Niterói have a knack for
the sport and encourage you to improve performance
and use techniques.” Feeling challenged, Luís embarked
on a new journey.

During a visit to a friend’s bike shop, he heard for the

thousandth time his friend's criticisms of his old bike
used for transportation. Despite encouragement to try
new models, he resisted. “I was resistant to change due
to my age, so to me, all bikes were the same, and the
best one was still the Caloi 10 from 1970.” Everything
changed when he agreed to ride a new model designed
for trails. He was thrilled, reinvented himself, and saw an
immediate improvement in his performance.
In his first competition, he
reached the podium. With
encouragement from friends,
he continued competing and
has won state and national
titles several times. He regrets
that there are few athletes in
the 65-70 age range,
considering the benefits of
cycling and the lack of joint
strain. He would like to see
more social support for this
group.

44
 HAPPINESS
Now 68 years old and retired, Luís finally enjoys cycling
the way he always wanted: as a sport and a playful
activity. His passion is evident when he shares
memorable experiences from competitions. According to
him, they are true life stages where he meets people
from all walks of life. However, he doesn’t need to leave
home to share this love for bicycles. Married to a cyclist,
discussions about chains, handlebars, and tires are
common. They also consider the beaches of Piratininga
and Camboinhas extensions of their home, more
specifically, their office.

Luís enjoys group rides through the City Park and trails
with unique names like Fried Egg, Tick and Boiled Egg.
Always accompanied by Anastácia, his bike, he has
created a tradition of keeping the name regardless of
the model, in honor of the black slave who inspired him.
Cheerfully, he speaks about the love for two wheels that
can move him to tears. After all, “It enriches the way I can
interpret life.” And what a grand life it is!

45
 FRIED AND BOILED EGG
Waking up at 3:30 a.m., leaving home at 4 a.m., returning
at 6 a.m., and then heading to the dental office where he
starts working at 7 a.m., this is David's routine, a dentist
and cyclist. Born and raised in Niterói, he learned to ride
a bike when he was very young in the area where he
grew up, near Forte do Gragoatá, alongside his brother
and friends.

In his adolescence, the options for bicycles were very

limited, and for him, riding a bike was restricted to going
to the beach or doing daily activities. As he grew older,
he put cycling aside due to the hustle and bustle of daily
life. However, after undergoing bariatric surgery and
seeking physical activity, he went back to cycling.

46
 FRIED AND BOILED EGG
This return happened four years ago when he met an old
friend, Luís Carlos, a great enthusiast of the sport who
encouraged David to join him on trails in Várzea das
Moças in Niterói. He recalls going to the trail areas as a
teenager with his friend Dentinho, who is an inspiration to
David, although he was unaware of the names like Fried
Egg and Boiled Egg trails at that time.

It's like therapy; I come home physically tired but

mentally better than ever," said David, who found in
cycling an opportunity to explore parts of the city he
grew up in and to challenge himself to surpass his goals.

David owns two bicycles. The first, a road bike, is

nicknamed Shamu, due to its brand Orbea, model Orca.
The second, also from the same brand, is called Titanium
Power, his mountain bike. Both accompany him in this
new phase of improving his physical condition and
seeking new challenges.

47
 BUILDING THE BIKE
Born in Belo Horizonte and raised in southern Minas
Gerais, specifically in Itajubá, José Paulo learned to ride
a bike as a child. During this time, he enjoyed going to
waterfalls and having fun moments on his bike. He has
been living in Niterói for almost 15 years, having moved
there in 2009 with his wife. From 2018 onward, he began
cycling more consistently and frequently. When his
youngest child, Pedro, was 2 years old, his wife decided
to engage in physical activity for health and well-being.

Motivated, José began to think,

"I want to do something I like; I'm
going to cycle." He soon started
frequenting the Oceanic
Region, such as Camboinhas
and Piratininga, on two wheels.
His adventure in cycling took a
new turn when he saw a video
by Edu Capivara, known on
digital platforms for giving tips
on bicycle maintenance.

With a slight passion for mechanics, José liked the idea

of building a bike from scratch and "accepted the
challenge." He bought each part and assembled his first
bike. However, seeing that the first one was outdated, he
built two more bikes in one year, always seeking to
evolve.

48
 BUILDING THE BIKE
While building his second bike, he met a group that did
trails in Niterói. Since he only rode on asphalt and
noticed the other bikes around him were dirty, he
thought, "Where do these people ride? I need to find
someone to give me some tips." This question was
answered when a colleague invited him to a trail ride
with his cycling group. From then on, he met a good
crowd and unique trails like Fried Egg, Rottweiler (which
he descended and ascended entirely by pushing due to
its difficulty), and Estrada da Rua Itália.

Determined, José began training in mountain biking. He

met other groups, but the group from his first experience
remained strong in their rides. Over time, the group's
name evolved and is now called "Velhos da Quitanda"
[trans: "Convenience Store Oldies"] because it is
composed of cyclists aged 40-60.

During the pandemic, José discovered Parque da

Cidade [trans: City Park] in Niterói, which he considers
paradise. Watching others take risks on the Boneco Trail,
he began to descend and, in his own words, "I
descended sliding the rear tire sideways and managed
to go down. After I succeeded on this trail, a door
opened, and I started tackling all the trails."

49
 BUILDING THE BIKE
That first trail, Rottweiler, which he ascended and
descended by pushing, is now one of José's best-
performed trails in terms of time. Additionally, during the
period of isolation, in his building's garage, he taught his
daughter Alice, then 7 years old, to ride without training
wheels using the balance technique he learned at Bike
Anjo workshops.

Currently, he keeps up his weekly cycling routine with

groups on routes and trails that expand his perception of
the city. He always has an essential toolkit on hand when
he goes cycling. For him, the bicycle brings both joys and
sorrows that do not deter him. With his whole family
involved in exercise, the key is to stay motivated and
keep the passion alive.

50
 DAYS IN NITERÓI
José Borda, 63 years old, lives in Recreio dos
Bandeirantes, a neighborhood in the West Zone of Rio
de Janeiro, and has maintained his adventurous spirit
since he was young. He enjoys sailing, standup
paddleboarding, and especially cycling. According to his
own words, "What I do most in life is ride bikes."

For him, the bicycle has always been associated with

leisure, and he has accumulated numerous stories from
various places. He recalls when he lived in the Ilha do
Governador neighborhood and, along with a friend,
loaded their bicycles into a van. They went to the ferry
station at Praça XV, where they took the bikes out of the
vehicle and crossed Guanabara Bay by ferry with the
bicycles headed for Niterói. There was going to be a
cycling event in the city.

After disembarking from the

ferry and arriving at the event
location, another cyclist hit
José's bike. He was fine, but the
bike's wheel was bent.
However, this did not stop him
from enjoying the ride, and after
receiving help from a friend who
was passing by, he continued.

51
 DAYS IN NITERÓI
He also recounts another experience in Niterói where he
spent the weekend in the city. On Saturday, he went to a
country club to sail and stayed at his friend Gabriel's
house in Itaipu. On Sunday, the two took the opportunity
to do the Caminho de Darwin with several other friends,
including some who worked at the Amazonas Bike shop.
He remembers that many people were doing the same
route, and due to the large crowd, there were even
photographers present. It was a super fun experience.
After returning from this adventure, he went to Itaipu
Beach to meet another friend and explore more of the
city.

José seeks to influence people to engage in physical

activities wherever he goes. At the church he attends, he
is a reference for organizing meetups for people to
exercise and have fun. As for the bicycle, he now even
has a custom-made trailer to transport them.

Thanks to him, a friend who

always saw him cycling bought
a bicycle, liked it so much that
he also bought one for his wife
and daughter, and now proudly
shows off the whole family
cycling together.

52
 A RAFFLE AND A BIKE
In a television program raffle, Jeremias won his first
bicycle. By going down the hill amidst falls and bumps,
he learned to ride a bike at the age of nine with the help
of his mother and his uncle, who had skills and became a
cycling reference for the young nephew.

Living in Fonseca, he embraced the bicycle as a means

of transportation for the freedom and practicality it
offered, enjoying the scenery with more liberty and
without the stress of traffic. During his adolescence, he
visited the city's tourist spots further from his
neighborhood, especially the waterfront in Charitas.

Nowadays, he uses his bike for

leisure, finding it more enjoyable
to see cycling as a hobby
compared to using it as daily
transportation, which can get
dirty and requires more
mechanical adjustments.

53
 A RAFFLE AND A BIKE
Jeremias likes to go on cycling trips around Niterói with
friends, but it was a ride in Rio de Janeiro fifteen years
ago that left a lasting impression on him due to the
presence of the band Cyclophonica and many unique
bicycles.

With many stories to tell, from falls on trails to rides with

his 5-year-old son in the bike seat, Jeremias has been
teaching and encouraging his son to ride on the street
where they live. Morning rides around Gragoatá and Boa
Viagem make his days better.

54
 BOOZE
Gabrielle Ramos is a Tourism student at the Federal
Fluminense University. She used to live in the West Zone
of Rio de Janeiro but had to move to the university's
student housing due to the long commute.
Because of the long distances
between her housing, the
university blocks, and other
campuses, she asked her
father for a bicycle to make
getting around easier. This bike
is affectionately known as
"Birita" [trans: Booze]. Birita is
quite popular among her
college friends, and when she
arrives for class, people always
ask, "Did you come with Birita?"
"It's almost like a person," as
Gabi puts it.
She recounts a day when she was in class and received
a stressful message from work. To relax, she rode her
bike to Icaraí Beach, taking a route that passed in front
of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC), and sat on a
bench by the shore.

55
 BOOZE
This closeness to the bicycle isn't recent; during her
childhood and teenage years, she used to ride bikes with
her father, sister, and friends, who were nicknamed the
"Bike Gang."
For her, feeling the wind on her face and admiring the
view is a way to escape the routine and forget her
problems.

56
 FACING FEARS
The story of Maria Clara, better known as Rubi, and her
bicycle began with an assignment for the "Professional
Career Management" course at the Federal Fluminense
University (UFF). The students were required to do
something unusual, and she decided to confront her fear
of riding a bike.
Rubi says that she has always been afraid of failing. It
wasn't a physical fear, but rather a psychological one, so
she needed the support of friends and family to face it.

She lives in Maricá, and her first attempt was along the
beach promenade using the "vermelhinhas," red public
bicycles provided by the Maricá city government.
However, she didn't have much support from her family
at that time, so she couldn't finish the activity.

57
 FACING FEARS
After one of her classes at UFF, her friend Gabrielle had
her bicycle, affectionately called "Birita." They went to
the Institute of Arts and Social Communication (IACS) on
the Gragoatá campus. With the support of Gabrielle and
another friend, Louise, Rubi managed to face her fear
and ride the bike on her own.

It was a very significant moment for Rubi. Sharing this

story in class inspired others to confront their own fears.
Additionally, it was a moment she found very enjoyable
because she was with her friends.

58
 IN MOTION
A five-time state champion and runner-up in the
Brazilian mountain bike championship, learning to ride a
bike was a pivotal experience for Gustavo. He recalls
being six years old in the city of Santo Antônio de Pádua,
on a sports court with his father, as he started riding
without training wheels. Pedaling very fast to maintain
balance, he nearly ran over some people and even rode
over a boy's skateboard, but everything turned out fine in
the end.
The son of a Colombian father
and a Brazilian mother,
Gustavo's mom always
encouraged him to engage in
physical activity from a very
young age. When he was nine,
he had a memorable
experience: his mother gave
him a Caloi Cross as a gift,
which ended up being stolen
from the service hall of their
apartment building in the Icaraí
neighborhood. Seeing his
grandson crying, his maternal
grandfather promised to visit
and give him a new bike, but
not just any bike—his dream
BMX.

59
 IN MOTION
Gustavo began hoping that his lost bike wouldn't be
found while his mother searched tirelessly. Just before
his grandfather's trip to Niterói, the bike was found near
their building. Although his mother was thrilled to show
him the recovered bike, Gustavo masked his
disappointment at not getting the BMX. Eventually, his
grandfather's promise was revealed to his mother, and
they resolved the situation by taking the Caloi Cross to
Santo Antônio de Pádua, while Gustavo happily got his
brand-new BMX.
Gustavo started competing in 1992, joined teams, owned
a bike shop in Icaraí, and studied Physical Education.
When it comes to bikes, he knows his stuff. During the
pandemic, Gustavo had to close his studio for four
months, but he was soon sought out by friends, students,
and their acquaintances for bike consultations and
advice, thanks to his extensive experience.

Each stage of his life, especially the competitions,

expanded his perception of biking. His first podium finish
was so significant that it made him consider a
professional career in cycling. Although this didn't
happen, he maintains friendships from competitions as
they meet during races from time to time.

60
 IN MOTION

Time passes, categories advance, and life goes on. For

Gustavo, witnessing these changes is something
mountain biking offers, being a friendly environment.
During routine training, he rides through Piratininga, São
Francisco, and on mountain bike days, crosses Engenho
do Mato and Itaocaia. It's notable that his family is also
into physical activities: while Gustavo focuses on biking,
his wife is into running, and their twin children—his
daughter loves dancing and his son breathes soccer.

61
 BMX FULLY EQUIPPED? WHY?

A native of Niterói, Fernando has had a relationship with

bicycles since a very young age, influenced by his father,
who constantly rode and even performed stunts,
including riding backwards.

At the age of 7, Fernando received a BMX bike that

came fully equipped with accessories and fenders at the
time. He was thrilled when he received it, but promptly
removed all the adornments, much to his father's
dismay: "You've already removed everything from the
brand-new bike?!"

He began jumping and

performing stunts, the dirt
roads of the Piratininga
neighborhood serving as
Fernando's initial cycling
playground.

His father was one of the first

people to ride from Niterói to
Maricá by bicycle in the
1950s, an event so unique
that it was featured in the
newspaper Fluminense.

62
 BMX FULLY EQUIPPED? WHY?
However, the romanticization of the newspaper story
was far from the reality of the challenging journey, which
resulted in many stories passed down through
generations, inspiring Fernando to follow similar paths.

For Fernando, the shortest distances were the most

difficult, as during his teenage years, it was a challenge
to navigate the heavy iron bike up trails or even make the
journey to school from Piratininga. Despite the
challenges, it was rewarding after a refreshing shower.

During his adolescence, he and his friends would ride

from their neighborhood to Tibau along the lagoon shore,
hitting seven kilometers each way. They spent the day
swimming, and on the return trip, they went up the hill
back to Piratininga. Despite the hardships, it all ended
with laughter.

Fernando recalls a day when he and his friends were

returning from a day at Itacoatiara Beach, riding their
bikes while holding onto the back of a friend's car. When
they went over a speed bump, one of them fell off but
luckily only suffered minor injuries to their hands, as they
were wearing gloves.

Racing and doing wheelies were part of Fernando's daily

life, who claims, "Adolescence here in Niterói, especially
in the Oceanic Region, was very lively with bicycles."

63
 BMX FULLY EQUIPPED? WHY?
Considering his family's strong connection to bicycle
culture, Fernando has ridden with his partner both in
Niterói and in other cities. During their travels, family
cycling is essential, and thus, he and his partner are
working to build confidence in their pre-teen through
workshops with the Bike Anjo Network, an experience
that has been remarkable for everyone.

Moreover, he always remembers his father's enthusiasm

and applies it in his daily life, regardless of whether it's
personal, professional, or academic. The bicycle is so
present that it was the subject of his doctoral thesis on
the topic of Cyclo Activism and the Right to the City.

With radiant optimism,

Fernando collects mishaps
and stories that bring
laughter, like the day he was
returning from a ride in
Itacoatiara, feeling so much
joy that he raised his arms
and enjoyed the moment until
the bike's seat post broke, as
he said, "No seat post, no
seat. I rode home standing on
the bike."

With lightness, he claims a characteristic of his cycling

journey: "Every now and then, we push someone or
someone pushes us."

64
 MY BICYCLE JOURNEY
In the absence of green areas in Baixada Fluminense,
Filipe learned to ride a bike in the parking lot belonging to
a construction material store. A new world was
discovered while riding a bike as a child, and it didn't stop
there.

In his adolescence, he went out by bike for the first time,

pretending he was going to school but actually heading
to his best friend's house. It was the first time he had a
new perspective on the city because of the bicycle.
His scale of urban perception changed from that day on.
In his own words: "I noticed the route I had been taking
for years by car differently. You see what's between the
places you go, as if the city ceased to be a big
patchwork quilt where you only know the beginning and
end and started to have a connection there in the
middle. That's the perception my bike has allowed me
since I was young."
At the end of that day, his
rebellious plan was thwarted;
his father picked him up from his
friend's house. However, his life
was never the same again.

During his university days at the

Federal Fluminense University,
once again the bicycle proved
to be his best tool for getting to
know a city.

65
 MY BICYCLE JOURNEY
Living in Rio, Filipe crossed the Guanabara Bay by ferry
with his bike and rode to class. He recalls having one of
the only bikes parked on the campus where the School
of Architecture is located.

Amidst the challenges of the context, he mentions the

freedom offered by being on pedals: "I didn't have money
for absolutely anything, but with the bike, I could go
wherever I wanted."

The excitement of cycling combined with the desire for

company, not only encouraged a colleague of his, but
also motivated Filipe to help him choose the model, find
an affordable bike, and pick it up in Guarulhos, São
Paulo, where the seller lived.
In addition to cycling around
Niterói with his colleague,
Filipe found in the tandem bike
the opportunity to motivate his
then-girlfriend - now his wife -
to ride safely and calmly.
The couple's identity was built
over the years on two wheels.

With casual clothes and a lot

of determination, they would
climb the waterfall road and
spend the day at the beach.
The return, no matter how
tiring, was compensated by
moments of companionship.

66
 MY BICYCLE JOURNEY
Intensely, his relationship
with the bike continued when
in 2015 he had the
opportunity to participate in
the selection process for an
internship at the Niterói
Bicycle Coordination (CONB).

Over the years, he found

himself professionally in the
field and went from being an
intern to an advisor, director,
and currently coordinator.

His words reveal immense gratitude: "Talking about

bikes is always really good; I always wanted to work with
urban planning, and I always loved bikes. Being at this
intersection really makes me very happy."

The process from seeing his bike as the only one on

campus to now seeing the bike racks in demand is a
reflection of a great journey.

Vanderleia III, Gertrudes, and Judith are the names of

Filipe's bikes. With great affection, he asserts that on
pedals, he "sees the city life happening." Developing his
own rhythm or in union, he is grateful for the quality of life
that the bike offers him.

67
 THE CYCLIST
Through the streets of Ingá, Helio learned to ride a bike
at the age of 8, with the help of his brother Eduardo.
Within a few months, he ventured out without training
wheels, and amidst some falls, his love for cycling
emerged.

His parents allowed him to ride his bike only by circling

the block, and Helio enjoyed the authorized route.

The memory of that time includes some occasions when

his other brother, Ricardo, took him to the Hebraica Club
in Icaraí, riding on a "grown-up" bike.
During his adolescence, the "grown-up" bike was used
by Helio to accompany his brother Ricardo on his runs
along the beaches of Boa Viagem, Flechas, Icaraí, Saco
de São Francisco, and Charitas.
While his brother trained for
running competitions, Helio rode
alongside him. It's worth
mentioning that this bike had, as
a distinctive feature, its coaster
brake. On the streets of Niterói,
they motivated each other in their
sport.

The São Bento field became

another cycling scenario for
pleasant memories, where Helio
and his friends held various
cycling competitions.

68
 THE CYCLIST
They also experienced some absent-minded moments in
traffic that resulted in laughter. The determination during
this phase was so great that they rode from Estrada
Nova to Itacoatiara Beach, along with a friend. Without a
tunnel to ease the way, they faced considerable climbs,
compensating for the effort with dips in the sea.

Graduated in Language and Literature in the 90s, he

went to class at UFF by bike for pretty much the entire
undergrad, becoming known as "the cyclist." Helio was
already riding around the University campuses before
the popularization of bikes, and rarely saw others there.
Due to the absence of bike racks, he improvised by tying
his bike to a pole.

This was the means of transportation that took him to

classes, to Cine Arte UFF, and even to his internship. It's
no wonder he was announced like this at the graduation
ceremony: "Now let's call 'the cyclist,' Helio Waizbort!"
Currently, he encourages his
wife Karla to ride, and
together they enjoy the city
on two wheels. Growing up in
Niterói, seeing the expansion
of the cycling network,
influenced him to go on
cycling trips and to use the
bike as a mode of
transportation, both for
commuting to work and for
enjoying moments of leisure
with his beloved.

69
 3962556
Karla Godoy Waizbort is a resident of Niterói, a professor
at the Federal Fluminense University, and has chosen
cycling as another way to exercise, thanks to the
encouragement of her husband, Hélio, who has
extensive experience in cycling. In fact, when they ride
together, she feels safer practicing the sport.

When she decided to buy a

bike to join him on this new
adventure, she tried out several
models. However, when she got
on the Rava bike and started
pedaling, she immediately
remembered very significant
times from her childhood.

This memory takes place on

the street where her
grandfather lived, where she
learned to ride a bike on a
Monark, with the help of her father, who ran alongside
her, just holding the bike's saddle. Unlike most beginners,
Karla learned to ride without training wheels, which she
tells with pride, considering it a fearless feat for her age
at the time.

70
 3962556
Moreover, she recalls speeding the bike up on her
grandfather's sidewalk, which was on a corner, while
chanting his phone number, as if she were calling him –
"three, nine, six, two, five, five, siiix!!!" For her, "The fun
part was making the turn while saying 'siiix!!!'" - a naive
and fun game that brings her good memories.

Karla and Hélio ride together in various neighborhoods

of the city of Niterói, as well as when they travel, thus
collecting stories and memories in these happy
moments of leisure.

71
 RADICAL PH
Paulo Henrique has been a resident of Niterói since 2003
and has witnessed all the changes in the city's cycling
infrastructure over the years. He returned to the habit of
cycling in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and
thanks to the bicycle, he went through this period with a
little more ease. Nowadays, he uses the bike for leisure
and sports and enjoys going on trails and adventures.
Paulo's history with cycling didn't start in 2020, since, at
the age of 5, he received his first bike from his father and
fell in love with the sport. "I would leave home in the
morning and only come back at night, spending the
whole day riding the bike," said Paulo.
His childhood was spent on a farm in Minas Gerais, and
while his friends wanted to ride horses, Paulo wanted to
ride a bike. At the age of 10, Paulo became increasingly
interested in this world and started practicing BMX, a
kind of race on dirt tracks, with his friends.

During his adolescence, there

weren't many options when it
came to bicycles, so he and his
friends adapted their bikes,
adding more gears so they
could cover long distances.

72
 RADICAL PH
When he went back to cycling, he met other people who
also enjoyed practicing the sport. For him, the collective
aspect and doing the activity with friends are the best
aspects. With this in mind, he encouraged his wife to
cycle as well, and nowadays it's extra time they spend
together.

Paulo also has the habit of taking his bike on trips to

explore places in a different way because, according to
him, you can see places that you wouldn't see by car,
making less effort compared to walking and allowing for
longer journeys.

His favorite route is from his home in Pendotiba, cycling

towards the Oceanic Region, passing through the
Piratininga Lagoon and the beaches of Camboinhas,
Piratininga, Itacoatiara, and Itaipu. He also enjoys taking
the various trails that the city has to offer, always
wearing appropriate cycling clothes and signaling lights.

73
 TO APARECIDA
Cláudio Araújo, better known as Ferrugem [trans:
Rust/Rusty], a nickname he got as a child due to the
freckles on his face, started cycling at the age of 6, and
for him, the bicycle was a child's toy.

Now at 56 years old, born

and raised in Niterói, and a
resident of the Santa Rosa
neighborhood, he is a great
promoter of the sport. Upon
getting married, he gave up
cycling due to lack of time,
but the dream of going back
to it was strong. He worked
in a butcher shop and
sometimes made deliveries
on a cargo bike, where his
love for cycling was
rekindled.
In 2010, he sought out Claudio from Amazonas Bike to
fulfill his dream of cycling to Aparecida - São Paulo, a
journey of 150 miles in two days. While training, many
said he wouldn't make it, but he didn't care about
people's opinions. With a lot of training on the streets and
trails of Niterói, he achieved his long-desired trip, thanks
to his determination and discipline. In 2023, he
completed the “Romaria Ciclística da Paz” route for the
thirteenth time.

74
 TO APARECIDA
In 2015, after two years of studying and training, he had
already completed the Estrada Real route, which goes
from Ouro Preto to Paraty, a journey of 430 miles and 10
days of cycling. Ferrugem says he has no plans to stop
these adventures anytime soon. He found in cycling a
way to improve his self-esteem. "The bicycle was my
lifesaver," he said.

Ferrugem rides his bike to work daily. He works as a park

ranger at the Serra da Tiririca State Park, specifically on
the Caminho de Darwin, fulfilling another dream of his:
managing the trails, which involves maintenance with
minimal environmental impact and ensuring drainage
along the entire route.

75
 BIKETHERAPY
Known among cyclists as Schuler, Edith learned to ride a
bike at the age of 6 or 7 using a borrowed bike from her
neighbor when she lived in Porto Alegre.

Years later, she moved to Ilha do Governador in Rio,

where her father gifted her first bicycle at 11. However, it
was soon taken away as punishment after her father
caught her riding on Avenida Brasil, an extremely busy
expressway, with older friends.

Her adventurous cycling

escapades, including falls and
mishaps, resumed at age 23
when she was already working
as a flight attendant. She often
found good bikes at affordable
prices in supermarkets abroad.
Despite having ridden a bike in
various places around the
world, she claims to be
enjoying it more now.

Whether alone or with company, she rides long routes in

Niterói, engages in bike touring in other cities, and enjoys
rides with friends in groups like nitbikers or the retiring
home Crew, known for uncertain trail rides that lead to
hilarious moments.

76
 BIKETHERAPY
Among friends, the phrase "eat dirt" is well-known due to
the falls and mishaps she experiences during these
rides. Laughing, she says, “I’m always eating dirt with
Ferrugem [trans: Rust/Rusty].” These moments are
significant in her life. In her words, they constitute
"biketherapy," helping and motivating people around her
regardless of their different backgrounds.

Schuler overcame cancer, discovered diabetes and

fibromyalgia, but remains determined. As she puts it, "We
have to overcome ourselves every day." When called
crazy by acquaintances for setting out early to ride
through the city, she responds, "I don’t find courage; I
meet it at the first corner."

Using her bike for both leisure

and daily activities, Schuler
recalls a funny incident on her
way home due to her habit of
using safety gear. One day, she
entered a market fully geared
up after a ride. People gave her
strange looks until a guy smiled
and reminded her she was still
wearing her helmet. Witty and
humorous, she replied, “It’s to
protect me from possibly falling
for you.” The unexpected
response made both of them
laugh, along with the market staff. Respectfully, she
explained to the guy that it wasn’t a flirt, just a joke she
couldn’t resist making.

77
 BIKETHERAPY
A Niterói resident since 1992, Schuler, now 30, collects
cycling moments from generation to generation,
currently riding with her youngest daughter. Fondly, she
recalls a ride that included Icaraí, Fortaleza de Santa
Cruz, and the surroundings of Lagoa de Piratininga,
covering an average of 40 miles. When her daughter
said, “Mom, my legs aren’t working,” she found it
amusing and stopped the ride to rest and recharge with
a snack.
For Schuler, cycling alleviates
her fibromyalgia pain and
brings indescribable joy and
well-being. As an example to
her daughters, she did a solo
cycling trip from Natal to Recife
in the 80s, which took 35 days.
With many cycling memories,
she teaches people how to
navigate Niterói traffic by bike
through the Bike Anjo network.
She mentions helping doctors
and nurses commute to and
from their shifts by bicycle.

Whether riding her speed bike Valente [trans: Brave] or

Fênix [trans: Phoenix], a reminder of her daily
overcoming, Schuler reflects on her mantra: "Live life
lightly.

78
 NO DESTINATION
André Ishikiriyama's journey with the bicycle began three
years ago during the Covid-19 pandemic, as it was a
sport he could practice in isolation. Like many others,
cycling was the way he kept active during that period.

When he started cycling, he had no knowledge of cycling

groups. However, while searching for safe places to ride
in Niterói on platforms like Strava, an app that records
activities such as rides and runs, and Facebook, he
discovered that cycling groups existed. Thanks to the
bicycle and these groups, he met new people with the
same interest in cycling and visited places he never
imagined.
André said, "When I started,
I thought cycling was an
individual sport, but I
increasingly realized that it's
collective and beneficial for
everyone."

Currently, he is part of four

cycling groups: JBike, which
offers night rides as an
alternative for those who
can't ride in the morning
and go after work to de-
stress; Nitbikers; Pebas de
Niterói; and Amigos do Pedal Niterói [trans: Niterói Pedal
Friends], which have rides for both beginners and more
advanced cyclists.

79
 NO DESTINATION
On Wednesdays, the JBike group rides "with no
destination," and for them, the most important thing that
day is the place they will stop to chat, which serves as a
great opportunity to showcase places suitable for
cyclists.

André greatly appreciates the spirit of cooperation that

cycling groups foster. He sees the activity as an
opportunity to create new connections, exercise, and
explore the city where he lives.

80
 BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS
They say that new routines bring about new habits. Well,
Carla’s story brings this thought to life!

In her childhood, she was taught how to ride a bike, but

her true passion was swimming. With challenges and
goals to be met in training, she developed skills that were
never forgotten.
During the unusual context brought on by the Covid-19
pandemic, our protagonist found a true love for cycling,
creating the habit of going out at five in the morning to
avoid crowds, seeking tranquility and energy to handle
the difficulties of the moment.

While cycling through Niterói, Carla discovered a route

which she fell in love with: the climb up Parque da
Cidade.

81
 BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS
The first time she took on this climb was a memorable
day. Accompanied by a more experienced friend, she
faced the ascent, stopping about four times out of
breath, but this didn’t discourage her. She received the
right guidance and began to work on her breathing to
finish the climb successfully. The result?

She fell in love with this route and the perspective of

appreciating the natural beauty after overcoming a
challenge.

Her focus and determination grew with cycling, to the

point of building endurance on trails, making road routes
easier, and training to compete in long-distance races.
Carla remains strong and committed to cycling. Her view
of the bicycle hasn’t changed, even after accidents. To
her, the bike provides unique leisure moments, complete
with waterfall dips and tasty lunches on long group rides,
enjoying the scenery and building friendships.

82
 COLLECTING MOMENTS
At 8 years old, Adriana Caldeira, a professor at the
Federal Fluminense University, learned to ride a bike the
way children play tag, by playing with cousins in Minas
Gerais. Since she got her first bicycle at 15, it has been a
constant presence in all phases of her life.

For her, cycling evokes the playfulness and time spent

with her cousins during childhood, where even falling
was a reason for laughter and it turned into fun stories
within her family.
Thanks to this memory, she
always encouraged her son
to use a bicycle. "I've lost
count of how many bikes my
son has had," said Adriana.
Nowadays, he rides the bike
daily, to go get a haircut or go
to the gym, thanks to her and
her husband's
encouragement.

For Adriana, cycling is a

collective activity. She and
her family often ride their
bikes around Niterói on weekends. She recalls a
weekend where she, her husband, and son woke up on a
Saturday and rode from their home in Icaraí to Lagoa de
Piratininga.

83
 COLLECTING MOMENTS
The next day, not wanting to stay home, they headed
towards the Oceanic Region again, but this time to
Tibau, Piratininga, a 25 miles route that she describes as
a very pleasant time with her family.

Cycling is part of her family's culture and is closely

related to sharing joys and spending moments together.
"The bicycle is an object of leisure, even when I use it to
go to work," Adriana says, lighthearted.

84
 A DAY ON THE BIKE
Our story takes place at the Federal Fluminense
University, specifically during the second semester of
freshman year in the tourism course. Marlon, a cheerful
and enthusiastic young man, chose the bicycle as his
means of transportation to experience the city of Niterói
through active tourism.
It all began when two
professors formed a
partnership to combine the
theoretical foundation of the
course with practical
tourism activities.

However, a small detail

caught his attention: the
students' collaboration and
the data produced would be
used to create the Active
Tourism Catalog in Niterói.

Among many options, Marlon honored what his parents

had taught him at the age of seven: the joy of cycling. As
he said himself, "You never forget how to ride a bike."
With the leadership of the professor, the support of his
colleagues, and the security provided by his reflective
vest and helmet, Marlon embarked on a cycling tour that
brought laughter when their safety vests glowed during
a visit to an exhibition at MAC, as well as challenges
along the way, such as the chain coming off during a
gear change on a climb.

85
 ENJOYING THE BREEZE
Raquel Alvim is an architecture student at the Federal
Fluminense University. Born in the city of Angra dos Reis,
located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, she moved to
Niterói at the age of eight. She recounts that even before
moving to Niterói, the bicycle was present in her life and
her family's routine.

Raquel's parents cycle, but the biggest influence on her

cycling habits is her brother, who would pick her up from
classes and dance lessons on his bike. While he rode the
bike, she would go home sitting on the bike's frame. The
two also have memories of riding around the Piratininga
lagoon when they lived in the Camboinhas
neighborhood, with their parents taking them there.

86
 ENJOYING THE BREEZE
Despite having fallen a few times, the bicycle has
become a great ally in her daily commute. It’s her means
of transportation to get to college, the country club, and
she has even ventured with her boyfriend from Icaraí to
Camboinhas beach.
Her favorite places to ride in are Campo de São Bento,
the Niterói waterfront, and Estrada Fróes, especially the
latter two where she can admire the scenery.

Due to its sea-green color, Raquel nicknamed her

bicycle "Brisa" [trans: Breeze], her daily companion.

87
 MY OLD BIKE
Ygor's story with bicycles began in his childhood. His first
encounter was when he got a bike that, in his own words,
“was very cool with yellow details,” but he was afraid to
ride it because it was bigger than him.

Everything changed when he was at his aunt's house,

where he learned to ride a bike that suited his child-sized
frame.
Since that day, the presence of the old bike has been
constant in his family, especially because of a bike
they’ve had for 15 years. It was introduced to their home
when his father, who worked as a doorman in a
residential building, got it from a resident who swapped it
for a motorcycle.
Over time, his father stopped
riding due to physical frailty
caused by diabetes. After his
father passed away, Ygor
began to use the bicycle
more frequently, putting into
practice the influence he had
gotten from his parents.

He has fond memories: his

father using the bike for
everything in daily life, going
to the market and returning
with bags tied to the bike and
Ygor on the back, and his mother encouraging them to
ride together for fun during Ygor's childhood.

88
 MY OLD BIKE
To him, cycling is freedom, exploring, discovering new
places, and being independent of gasoline and money.
After all, “you just get on the bike, hit the road, and go
wherever you want.” These thoughts were what
motivated him to leave his home in São Gonçalo and ride
to Itacoatiara.

Before he knew it, he was enjoying a Sunday morning

bike ride and moments at the beach. His perspective on
the city changed. In his own words, “riding a bike, I go
through places I’ve never been before. You start to see
the city differently.”

For Ygor, the ease that the bicycle provides allows for
the exploration of new places beyond the starting and
ending points, making the journey itself the main part.

Among many rides, one

experience worth sharing
was when he climbed
Parque da Cidade
persistently and with
motivation from a friend.
The hour-long ascent was
rewarded upon reaching
the top, where they were
met with a beautiful sunset.
All the effort was worth it, as
it became one of Ygor's
most memorable
experiences tied to the
bicycle and a dear friend.

89
 DUCKS, GOOD MORNING!
Born and raised in Niterói, Pedro has always cycled
around the city at any time of day and in any context,
whether it be school, university, or even work across the
Guanabara Bay.

When his son reached the minimum age to sit in the bike
seat, Pedro seized the opportunity to take him on rides.
According to Pedro, "the experience is really cool
because it allows you to see the city with new eyes.
Riding in a stroller or in a car, the child has a restricted
and limited view of the landscape, unlike when they are
in the bike seat, where the child enjoys more, recognizes
places in the city, and becomes an active part of the
environment."
The first time they went for a ride, both were excited about
the new experience. The route was simple—a ride around
Icaraí Beach. It made the little one point out novelties and
enjoy the ride so much that he returned home asleep in the
seat.

Since then, everyday trips like

going to daycare have been
optimized by the bicycle,
allowing the child to see
cityscapes, recognize places,
and develop interactions
between father and son, like
saying good morning to the
ducks in Campo de São Bento.

90
 DUCKS, GOOD MORNING!
Cycling has always been a significant and constant part
of Pedro's life, especially during his teenage years when
he spent almost all day riding with his friends. Over time,
this experience has been adapted. Nowadays, he and
his friends gather to ride, bringing their children along in
bike seats. While the adults chat, the kids enjoy the
journey and playtime.

Using the bicycle as a tool for entertainment and play,

beyond just transportation, Pedro involves his young son
in the urban context of Niterói. Little Zion already
recognizes the beach when they pass by Rua Dr.
Tavares de Macedo, a street near the shore. On every
ride, he looks for a truck, exploring and creating games
that interact with the city.
The family enjoys moments
with their 2-year-old son
while riding along the bike
paths in Icaraí. It's worth
noting that the preparation
moments for the ride, like
putting on the helmet and
outfit, already bring
excitement to the
household.

Recently, Zion got a

balance bike to encourage
future rides using his own
legs.

91
 An act of preserving
both personal and
planetary health.

Playing again
Adventure and
freedom - hair in Overcoming
the wind, good
thoughts, and a Where I found
collection of good myself
moments
Freedom Nourishing
TO ME, our bodies,
Life BIKING IS our minds

Routine The bike in

motion, but for
Pleasant me, cycling is
slowing down

Facing my fears,
The ideal way to relate
stepping out of my
to your path, it's truly
comfort zone, it's
finding yourself in the
freedom
territory you go
through, at the ideal
intersection between
92 place and flow.
 A sense of freedom,
health, and quality
of life, feeling a
connection with the
environment It’s leisure, a way to
release everyday's
emotions, exercise,
Like breathing, and socialize
it’s essential, it
keeps you alive
Unity,
together we
Joy cycle more!
materialized
TO ME,
BIKING IS Enjoying
life freely
Quality of life
and the right
to the city Quality of life,
cycling is
Being in motion what I do
most

Health, being with Seeing life and the

friends, and being with scenery from the
myself. Aiming for bike, calming the
improving my health, mind, and having
making new friends, and unforgettable
reflecting on thoughts moments
93
about life
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
When something is unforgettable, they say "it's like riding
a bike, you never forget it." We can say that this
statement is absolutely true. When we began our journey
with the research group Experiências em Turismo e
Transportes Ativos (ETTA) [trans: Experiences in Tourism
and Active Transportation], we did not imagine how
much it would impact us, not only by the mode of
transportation itself but by the influence it would have on
many lives. Among the many stories we heard and
others we witnessed firsthand, the different biking
experiences brought tears to our eyes and smiles to our
lips. Each narrative inspired us to continue on this great
academic journey. We are grateful to everyone who took
the time to share a bit of their biking journey with us,
making this project a reality, and to Fátima Priscila, who
provided all the support and assistance necessary
during the creation of this material. Additionally, we
would like to acknowledge the support from CNPq and
Faperj for the scientific initiation scholarships.

Letícia Muniz and Raquel Marins.

94