June 3 — World Bicycle Day

June 3 — World Bicycle Day

2019-06-03

News Department

The “2018 Annual Report of the Share the Road Programme” notes that pedestrians and cyclists usually make up the majority of city dwellers, yet their mobility needs continue to be neglected. Although investing in pedestrian and cyclist mobility can bring many benefits—it can save lives, protect the environment and support poverty reduction. Meeting the needs of pedestrians and cyclists is crucial to solving mobility problems; it helps cities decouple population growth from rising emissions while improving air quality and enhancing road safety.

　The WHO states that safe walking and cycling infrastructure is also a pathway to expanding health equity. For the poorest urban residents who cannot afford a private car, walking and cycling can provide a means of transport while reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers and diabetes, and can even reduce the risk of death. Therefore, improving such active modes of transport is not only healthy and equitable, but also cost-effective.

Why celebrate Bicycle Day?

• The bicycle is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally friendly means of sustainable transport;

• The bicycle can serve as a means of development: it is not only a means of transport, but can also be a tool for popularising education, providing health care and engaging in sports;

• The synergy between the bicycle and its user can foster creativity and social engagement, giving the cyclist a direct awareness of the local environment;

• The bicycle is a symbol of sustainable transport, conveying a positive message that promotes sustainable consumption and production and has a positive effect on the climate.

World Bicycle Day:

• Encourages Member States to devote particular attention to the bicycle in cross-sectoral development strategies and to include the bicycle in development policies and programmes at the international, regional, national and subnational levels;

• Encourages Member States to improve road safety and integrate it into the planning and design of sustainable mobility and transport infrastructure, and to formulate specific policies and measures to actively protect and promote pedestrian safety and bicycle mobility, with a view to achieving broader health outcomes, in particular the prevention of injuries and non-communicable diseases;

• Encourages stakeholders to emphasise and promote the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education (including physical education) for children and young people, promoting health, preventing disease, fostering tolerance and mutual understanding and respect, and promoting social inclusion and a culture of peace;

• Encourages Member States to adopt best practices and approaches to promote the bicycle among all members of society, and welcomes cycling events held at the national and regional levels, thereby enhancing physical and mental health and fostering a culture of cycling in society.

  Why do we observe international days?

  　　International days are occasions to raise public awareness of issues of concern, to mobilise political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity. International days existed before the founding of the United Nations, but the United Nations has made the international day a powerful advocacy tool.

  　　Each international day offers many actors the opportunity to organise activities related to the theme of the day. The organisations and offices of the United Nations system—and, most importantly, governments, civil society, the public and private sectors, schools, universities, and citizens more broadly—use international days as a springboard for awareness-raising action.