Cycling has been around since a very very long time. From the unicycles to Laufmaschine to the modern day ultralight fiber bodies, bicycles have traveled through multiple generations of development. And On the World Bicycle Day, 2020 Discover East brings to you few of the benefits of cycling .
The very first World Bicycle Day was organised on the 3rd June, 2018 by the United Nations. A resolution from the the United Nations General Assembly in New York, in the presence of diplomats from various nations decided this event. The idea was to share how the humble bicycle has helped man in a million ways.
Here are a few reasons why World Bicycle Day is celebrated according to the UN.
- It is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation.
- It 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.
- It is a symbol of sustainable transportation and conveys a positive message to foster sustainable consumption and production. It also has a positive impact on climate.
Few Key points about World Bicycle Day :
- To encourage member nations to popularize cycling by hosting and managing events and policies on various levels. These may be of local, national, international or even global scope.
- To encourage member nations to improve road safety. The aim is to make roads safer for pedestrians and for bicycle mobility.
- To emphasize on the sustainability and environmental impacts of cycling to all the stakeholders.
- To promote cycling as a health enhancer,both physical and mental, across all citizens.
Cycling and COVID 19
The Covid 19 pandemic has not only harmed us physically. We must also consider the economic and social damages.
- For example, India has seen so many migrant workers travelling back home in bicycles. Affordability and lack of other options are the main reasons here.
- With social distancing becoming a new norm, travelling is crowded public transport is no longer considered a safe option. However we can easily commute over short distances using bicycles. We can not only maintain social distancing, but also get a daily dose of exercise. All these while we save money during these hard times.
- Also it does not need any fuel or permits, so there is almost no chance of getting into conflict with anyone if you are cycling !
- If the large section of daily commuters decide to let of personal vehicles and shift to bicycles, we can easily imagine the amount of fuel will be saved. Not to mention the decrease in pollution worldwide.
On behalf of the Discover East team, we wish everyone a very happy World Bicycle Day !!
(The feature image courtesy: Facebook profile of a Belgian Cyclist couple Nicholas & Aurelie.)
