Over seven days, a group of nine GNR officers from Évora will cycle the 738 kilometres of the N2, from Chaves to Faro, with the goal of educating young people about the importance of road safety.

Nuno Vilaranda, the initiative's promoter, explained to Lusa that the project "Cycling with Confidence! More Awareness and Safety" is a follow-up to the book he released in 2023, which aims to raise awareness among drivers about the importance of traffic rules.

The story continues in the new short story "O Velocidades, o Cadeirinhas e os Seus Sete Amigos – O Regresso via N2," written and illustrated by the GNR corporal, which will be presented in Chaves on October 3 and includes a foreword by cyclist João Almeida.

"In the middle of the Vuelta a España, João Almeida agreed to join this cause and made a generous donation that will allow us to offer 1,500 books along the entire N2 route, triple the initial goal," stated Nuno Vilaranda.

Almeida began by issuing the challenge to a colleague from the Intervention Detachment of the GNR Territorial Command in Évora. The two were joined by seven more, for a total of nine members, the same number as the characters in the children's story, who have been on "internship" since February.

"As members of the GNR, we have increased responsibilities, which go beyond simply upholding the law in the performance of our duties. We must also be close to the people, side by side, as citizens who care for others," he reiterated.

During the trip, they intend to "impose responsibility on cyclists, but also on car drivers," raising awareness of the high number of road accidents, particularly cyclist deaths on Portuguese roads.

7 stages

The route will be divided into seven stages, during which the group will distribute the children's book to children and young people along the N2. About 10 activities are also planned, including story readings and project presentations in various auditoriums, from the north to the south of the country.

"Educating children and young people fosters future drivers and cyclists who are more aware and responsible. The uniform, indeed, gives us authority, but it is volunteering that ultimately gives us legitimacy. I firmly believe that, with this example, they can become different adults," argued the GNR corporal.

During this unprecedented mission, they will also collect donations that will go entirely to the two Humanitarian Associations of Volunteer Firefighters in the city of Chaves, where Nuno Vilaranda is from.

The project, promoted by VIVER+ – Association for Culture, Sports and the Community, has the support of the Commander-General of the National Republican Guard, several municipalities, private entities, and more than two dozen ambassadors, including João Almeida, Fernando Pimenta, Lenine Cunha, Hernâni Broco, and Sérgio Paulinho.