Utrecht Science Park builds the longest rainbow bike path in the world

Thanks to a student initiative, Utrecht Science Park will have the longest rainbow bike path in the world: its founding partners the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Utrecht University and the UMC Utrecht have joined forces to create it, as a symbol to show that everybody is welcome to be who they are.

At 570 metres long, it is the longest rainbow cycle path in the world and was created to mark international Pride month. Although the rainbow flag applied to the cycle path is a symbol of the LGBTQI+ community, all parties involved want the cycle path to give a signal about diversity and inclusion in the broadest sense of the word, and the three universities are also seizing the opportunity of the rainbow bike path to jointly launch a diversity and inclusion programme. 

"We want to show that everyone can be themselves and is welcome in the Utrecht Science Park," says Elena Valbusa, Diversity Officer of University of Applied Sciences Utrecht. "Everyone, so regardless of your colour, sexual orientation, cultural background, but also regardless of your disability or your parents' income. We prefer to look at the human being, with everyone's own talents and qualities and how we can develop them further."

Melody Deldjou Fard, a city council member for GroenLinks, was one of the earliest supporters of the idea. "I thought it was a great idea. The future of our country is taking shape in the Utrecht Science Park. And that's exactly why it's important to make diversity and inclusion explicitly visible here," she commented.

The bike path was the initiative of student Elias van Mourik (22), who hopes that it will contribute to a feeling of acceptance and inspire others to also actively contribute to diversity and inclusion. "A lot of people live, work and study in the Utrecht Science Park. It's therefore great that at such a location you get a symbol that shows that everyone is accepted.” 

To learn more about Utrecht Science Park and their community, visit https://www.utrechtsciencepark.nl/en/home.