Tag: Sustainable

When Karl Von Drais first invented his “Swiftwalker” in 1817, he probably had no idea how it would evolve into the invention of the bicycle. And he probably never thought the bicycle (and the activity of bicycling) would become a prominent part of world society. 225 years later, the bicycle is gaining even more importance once again, especially as climate change looms as a large environmental and existential threat.

That is why today, June 3, is so important. It’s the annual summer celebration called World Bicycle Day. This is the day when the bicycle and bicycling take center stage. Read on to learn more about the bicycle’s special one-day celebration.

What is World Bicycle Day?

In 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating June 3 as World Bicycle Day. This resolution was led by the Government of Turkmenistan. The reason for World Bicycle Day is simply this: to celebrate “the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle… a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport, fostering environmental stewardship and health.”

If you read that quote, the beauty and charm of the bicycle and what it can do for human society shine through. However, these items may seem pretty obvious to us as cyclists. So, the UN went further in its reasons to define the importance of the bicycle. Bicycling, it believes, can improve life for everyone by helping to do these 7 things.

• Eradicate poverty
• Assist in sustainable development
• Strengthen education, including physical education
• Promote overall good health
• Prevent disease
• Provide a vehicle for social inclusion
• Support a culture of peace

Bicycling in a Post-COVID-19 World

The pandemic years of 2020-2022 made a major impact on everyone. It even had an impact on cities around the world in such a way that an emphasis on more sustainable forms of transportation came into focus. And again, with the prominence of climate change threatening us all and our way of life, the UN General Assembly took another big step for bicycling.

In 2022, the UN declared that bicycling would be an essential part of the public transportation system. Not only that, but the UN also stated that bicycling must be promoted by governments and cities around the world so society might develop a culture of bicycling.

To me, this is music to my ears, and I can see the slow change toward a more cycling-based culture happening. However, that progress is still quite slow here in America, especially in the midwestern United States, where cars still outnumber bikes by a large margin. But this mindset truly needs to take a firmer hold because the activity of bicycling could help avert environmental catastrophe.

Last Thoughts

World Bicycle Day, much like Earth Day, is really not a one-day event to forget about until the next year when it rolls around. It is a day of awareness and action. The UN believes, as I do as well, that bicycling can make life better for everyone.

Bicycling can reduce communicable diseases, decrease air and noise pollution, and eliminate inequalities between the “haves” and the “have nots.” Most importantly, the UN believes that in order for all these positive things to happen, road safety must be improved, and it is the duty of governments and cities to get this done. I couldn’t agree more.