December 3

Andiamo!

The presumably largest Swiss event in 2008 took place on different days at different locations and had a total of 400'000 active participants. It takes place every year and is called "SlowUp". It is not a bicycle race, but a car free experience day for all – also for persons with a handicap. It is about feeling your own power and enjoying the environment - “the way is the goal“.

Top athletes…
One of the known regular visitors of slowUp Lake Murten is Elisabeth Osterwalder. She has a cupboard full of medals and prices from ski races. In the Olympic movement she is considered a „giant slalom legend“ - a rather unusual one, however: when she was 18 years old Elisabeth had an accident and was amputated from her lower leg.
Now she is retired – but this is no reason not to be active in sports. Elisabeth leads a group of persons with prostheses in Berne. This year the whole group joined her and also participated in the slowUp Lake Murten. The adventure went ahead like this: with tandem, tricycle, wheel chair cycle, electrically supported bicycle and many others.

…and others looking for motion
With the project «Andiamo!» Procap Switzerland planned, in 2007, to enable persons with a handicap to participate in one of the SlowUps. Special measures were taken, service points established to provide information and all roads tested by wheel chairs. Upon request you could be accompanied on the entire stretch. Toilets for handicapped were available. At the service points various special vehicles could be hired. In 2009 again many helpers of „Andiamo!“ will be present to enable the participants to experience a successful day.
>> More details about Andiamo!