Physical Activity Day brings Lisbon, Oeiras and Cascais together

The initiative, on April 12, between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., will close Avenida da Índia, in Lisbon, and Avenida Marginal, between Alcântara and São Pedro do Estoril, to traffic, creating a continuous route along the Tagus and the Atlantic for free exercise.

Along this route, free activities will be available for all ages and levels of participation, including walking, cycling, group classes, sports demonstrations and health screenings, promoted by clubs, associations and partner entities in the areas of sport, health and well-being.

At the press conference at the Champalimaud Foundation, attended by the mayors of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, Oeiras, Isaltino Morais, and the vice-mayor of Cascais, Nuno Piteira Lopes, the three municipalities reinforced their joint commitment to enhancing the waterfront as a public space of excellence, promoting its use by the population in an accessible, safe and inclusive way.

As part of the Lisboa Ativa strategy, Carlos Moedas stressed the importance of integrating physical exercise into everyday life: "We have to make sport a professional obligation, otherwise we'll never succeed. Today, I make it a personal obligation for the future," he said, also stressing the impact of physical activity on mental health.

The mayor also highlighted the role of sport in social inclusion, saying that "it is perhaps the greatest instrument we have to change the lives of so many young people".

"It's essential to create cities that are more active and better prepared for the challenges of the future. Promoting this event together with our neighboring municipalities represents a shared commitment to the health and well-being of our communities," said Carlos Moedas.

World Physical Activity Day, marked on April 6 at the initiative of the World Health Organization, aims to raise awareness of the importance of combating sedentary lifestyles and encouraging the adoption of more active and healthy lifestyles.