Today’s schedule was a much simpler one: we took the train to the city of Uppsala, where our colleagues from the logistics team prepared an activity for the team dedicated especially to one of our study topics: bicycle infrastructure.
We rented bicycles for the whole team and followed a route that took us not only through the city, but also through a forested area frequently used by residents for sports and recreational activities. Therefore, we had the opportunity to experience all types of lanes and roads: we rode along straight, hilly, crowded, or less crowded sections, paved or gravel paths, and we also familiarized ourselves with the way traffic works in Sweden.
It was very interesting to make the transition from the infrastructure in the city center to that outside of it. One thing we have noticed since we first arrived in Stockholm is the fact that many pedestrian crossings in Sweden, even in large intersections, do not always have traffic lights. Although there are places where cars, trams, buses, cyclists, and pedestrians all meet at once, much of the traffic is regulated by themselves, following a simple rule that we also put into practice today. Cars and buses yield the right of way to both cyclists and pedestrians, and cyclists yield the right of way to pedestrians.
One of the most beautiful moments along the route was the time spent on the paths that led us among trees and fields, so close to the heart of the city. The green spaces we rode through reminded us a lot of the activities we carried out yesterday alongside Lisa from Miljöverkstan Flaten. Their organization aims to educate people, especially immigrants and students, regarding the importance of nature and the sustainable practices of the Swedes. Through trust or skill games like the ones we did yesterday, but also through courses (from how to ride a bike to how to safely light a fire in the forest), they educate these people (free of charge). All this information seemed to settle even better for us while we completed this bike ride as a group, admiring our surroundings and observing what a regular day looks like for the people here.
Additionally, one of the stops along the route was Uppsala University, where we again had the opportunity to talk to students, but also to explore the main building and its surroundings a bit, something that gave at least a few of us food for thought for the future.
After filming the last sequences for our documentary, we divided into groups again to continue working on the photovoice project and to explore the city, and in the evening, we reunited at our reflection spot near the hotel and held our last community circle in Sweden. We talked about what inspired us the most and what exactly from the entire experience motivates us the most to bring about a concrete change back home. We ended the evening with a dinner eaten together, full of laughter and shared thoughts about what we have learned.