June 3rd Is World Bicycle Day

June 3rd is World Bicycle Day and as I have confessed in another blog about bicycles, I have never ridden one in my life!

World Bicycle Day

What is it?

In April 2018, June 3rd became International World Bicycle Day. Declared to be so by the United Nations General Assembly, the intention was to recognize the bicycle as an environmentally sound and healthy option for transport.

Resolution

The United Nationals General Assembly resolution recognizes:

the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport.

Covid-19 And A Renewed Love Of The Bicycle

The emergence of Covid-19 encouraged a resurgence in the use of bicycles. Here in Italy, major towns and cities like Milan introduced new bicycle lanes to encourage people to ride them to work. In particular, at the peak of the epidemic, Coronavirus-hit Lombardy intended to turn over 35km of streets to bicycles and pedestrians. As reported in The Guardian, traffic congestion fell and with it air pollution as a result of the lock down.

Italian residents who bought a new bicycle could get up to 500 euros from the Italian government as part of a 55-billion-euro stimulus package for Italy’s virus-stricken economy.

A few years later and hope that there would not be a return to the heavy reliance on cars as a means of transport are fading as the traffic jams and pollution return. But many people learned to love the bicycle and there are now many more in use daily.

How will World Bicycle Day be celebrated in 2023?

A number of seminars and activities are organised world-wide to encourage people to use bikes for transport and as a means of exercise. Activities include bike rides, education events, and public art installations.

Cycling Acts of Kindness

World Bicycle Relief, provides bicycles to those in need. They are a wonderful charity. They promote a movement called #CyclingActsOfKindness. The idea is to ‘hop on your bike and perform an act of kindness’, that you then share on Social Media and encourage others to join in. Worth thinking about on World Bicycle Day don’t you think?

Will I be riding a bicycle today?

I think my husband, Barnet Boy would pay to see it. No, I will not be riding a bike. for the simple reason that I have never been able to ride a bicycle as I have very little sense of balance! These days, given my arthritis, if I fell off I could seriously injure myself. Barnet Boy, did offer to get me a bike with training wheels but I think it could prove difficult to use on our unmade up roads. So I will leave it to the able bodied to get out there and do their stuff! I will stick to promoting bicycles in my art work!

Why not check out my bicycle calendar?

This article was originally published in 2020 and updated and republished 2 June 2023.

Before you go

My name is Dorothy Berry-Lound an artist and writer. You can find out more about my art and writing at https://dorothyberryloundart.com.

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