What: World Bicycle Day
When: June 3, 2018
Who: UN
- First ‘World Bicycle Day’ is being organized across the world on June 3, 3018.
- In India Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu flagged off a cycling event in New Delhi on this occasion. Nearly 5,000 cyclists participated in the eight kilometer long event. New Delhi Municipal Council organised the event in association with the World Cycling Alliance.
- New Delhi is one of the three cities in the world where major events are being organised to mark the day, Berlin and Times Square, New York being other two places.
- Speaking on the occasion, Mr Naidu said, the time has come for cities and other urban places to promote cycling in a big way.
- As per the the Vice President said, the first World Bicycle Day is not a mere symbolic exercise, but seeks to focus government attention on two of the most pressing problems the world is confronted with today, growing environmental pollution and rising lifestyle diseases.
- The United Nations had recently announced the World Bicycle Day to encourage this simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation.
Why celebrate the bicycle?
- As per the United Nations:
- The bicycle is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation;
- The bicycle can serve as a tool for development and as a means not just of transportation but also of access to education, health care and sport;
- The synergy between the bicycle and the user fosters creativity and social engagement and gives the user an immediate awareness of the local environment;
- The bicycle is a symbol of sustainable transportation and conveys a positive message to foster sustainable consumption and production, and has a positive impact on climate.
