UN celebrates World Bicycle Day

The United Nations on Monday commemorated World Bicycle Day to acknowledge the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of bicycles.

While addressing a commemorative event, President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces said that bicycles can make a huge and crucial contribution, "from reducing transport emissions and road deaths to tackling obesity and noncommunicable diseases, improving rural connectivity and empowering women and girls."

"Transport is the third-largest source of CO2," said Espinosa, adding that studies have shown that if just 10 percent of city mobility was by bike, urban transport emissions would fall by 7 percent.

"So, we must do more to integrate bicycles into urban and rural planning, infrastructure and design. We must consider subsidies that promote bicycle use. And we must invest in education to promote the multiple benefits of cycling," she added.

The bicycle is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told a briefing.

"It also conveys a positive message to foster sustainable consumption and production and has a positive impact on the climate," said the spokesman.

World Bicycle Day seeks to encourage member states to devote particular attention to the bicycle in development strategies and to include the bicycle in international, regional, national and subnational development policies, he added.

In April 2018, the UN General Assembly declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day.