PURPOSE: The United Nations has declared June 3rd as World Bicycle Day, by adopting a resolution on April 12th 2018, during the 72nd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York City. The aims of the day is to Encourage stakeholders to emphasize and advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, by strengthening education, including physical education for young people and promoting healthly lives by preventing the spread of diseases. The United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace was introduced by Kofi Annan in 2001. Its mandate was to coordinate the efforts undertaken by the United Nations in promoting sport in a systematic and coherent way as a means to contribute to the achievement of development and peace. Funded research demonstrates that a switch from motorised vehicles to cycling would help confront climate issues, while generating infrastructure savings of up to $25 trillion by 2050.
FORUM: "Celebrate the bicycle and highlight its role in creating more sustainable, healthy and inclusive societies." World Bicycle Day 2023. The United Nations’ World Bicycle Day invites all to acknowledge “the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle”. The UN-declared World Bicycle Day is a key occasion to celebrate the bicycle and highlight its role in creating more sustainable, healthy and inclusive societies. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #3june, #WorldbicycleDay, #bicycle,#cycling,#Cyclists, #Cyclism.
Events: 2023 "Bike Month NYC", for this occasion a joint United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and United Nations Peacekeeping team participated in the 2023 "Bike Month"NYC" challenge hosted by the United Nations Staff Mission, the United Nations Department of Management Strategy policy and compliance (DMPSC), the United Nations Department of Safety and Security.Collectively, DPPA-DPO staff logged over 3,600 miles - equivalent to New York to Paris. For the new year, we invite you to Join the cycling events of the 2024 Olympic Games (26 July to 11 August) and Paralympic Games (28 August to 8 September) in Paris (France). In keeping with its ambition to achieve gender parity, the UCI is pleased to confirm that for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, all cycling competitions will have the same number of male and female athletes on the lists of participants.
PODCASTS: Given the environmental, health and socio-economic challenges being faced across the world, cycling can play a clear role in ensuring a more sustainable future. Whether it is tackling climate change, air pollution, urban congestion or obesity and physical apathy, cycling is a low cost, safe and socially positive activity that should be encouraged. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Promoting and nurturing everyday cycling. Get the campaign materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
THE BENEFITS: Cycling can provide a form of transport while reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, diabetes, and even death. Accordingly, improved active transport is not only healthy; it is also equitable and cost-effective.
-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.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNESHIPS
The World Bicycle Day is co-organized by the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSPD), the Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the WHO/PAHO, the WHO European Regional Office, the WHO-EMRO, the WHO-SEARO, the WHO Office for the Western Pacific Region and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
With the collaboration of Union Cycliste Internationale, the European Cyclists’ Federation, the World Cycling Alliance, the Healthy Streets, the African Bicyle Network, the USAID, the USACycling, the League of American Bicyclists, the AUScycling, the Bicycle Network, the Bicycling Australia, the Chinese Cycling Association, the Asian Cycling Confederation (CCA), the Russian Cycling Federation, the Cycling New Zealand and the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association.
Promote awareness on the use of Bicycle.
Celebrate the power of the bike.
Act as a catalyst to inspire even greater mass participation, and get many more people using bikes as part of their everyday lives.
Acknowledge of the contribution of cycling to the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Push cycling as a tool for sustainable and inclusive development.
Encourage governments to devote particular attention to the bicycle in cross-cutting development strategies.
Include the bicycle in international, regional, national and subnational development policies and programmes.
• At the political level, Engage with policy makers to encourage countries and international organisations to adopt bike-friendly policies.
• Work with cities and regions that invest in elite cycling and everyday cycling activities.
• Connect with professional riders on cycling advocacy campaigns like Cycling for All.
• Support National Federations by sharing best practice and encourage their activities.