Author: Marshall Thurlow
It seems like there is a dedicated day for almost every cause, health condition or charity. International day for this, awareness week for something else!
I was reading up on one that peaked my interest. World Bike Day.
I wanted to learn more about this day and why it was so important. This is what I found out.
World Bike Day – What Is it?
World Bike Day, observed on June 3rd each year, is a global celebration of biking as a sustainable and healthy means of transportation. It’s a day that highlights the benefits of riding a bicycle while also emphasising the need for cleaner transportation options.
In 2018, the United Nations and the World Health Organisation designated June 3 as World Bicycle Day. On March 15, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution.
How did World Bike Day Start?
Turkmenistan spearheaded the effort to establish this day, which was supported by other countries, in order to emphasise the humble bicycle’s role in assisting the UN in meeting its ‘Sustainable Development Goals’.
Professor Leszek Sibilski, a sociologist and activist, and his sociology students proposed and launched the campaign that resulted in the declaration of the day. Their efforts were aided by 56 countries that co-sponsored the resolution to acknowledge the bicycle’s extraordinary longevity and versatility, which has been in use for two centuries.
Why is World Bike Day Important?
World Bicycle Day brings attention to the benefits of riding a bike, which is an easy, cheap, clean, and environmentally friendly way to get around.
However, World Bike Day is also about a much broader idea, one that emphases local action in order to tackle global problems. While it may seem that simply riding a bike is an insignificant thing to do, imagine if everyone who could ride a bike, did!
Here’s an overview on the significant of this day:
- Going green. One of the best ways to be green is to ride a bike. It cuts down on carbon emissions, makes traffic flow more smoothly, and lowers the need for big parking lots in crowded cities.
- Cycle your way to better health. Regular riding can make a big difference in your health, from making your heart and lungs stronger to making your muscles stronger. It’s also good for your mental health because it lowers stress and worry.
- Save money. You can save money by riding a bike to work. A bike is a much cheaper way to get around than a car that uses a lot of gas.
Get Involved
If you own a small business like me, you can support World Bike Day and encourage people in your areas to ride bikes. Why not tell your workers they can ride their bikes to work? They’ll get in better shape and get more done at the same time. As a reward, give them healthy food to get them through the day and bike wrecks at the end of their trips.
Why not integrate World Bike Day into your employee health and wellness programs.
Key Summary
- Celebrated globally on June 3rd, World Bicycle Day highlights the benefits of cycling as a sustainable and healthy form of transportation.It was endorsed by the UN and WHO in 2018 to promote cleaner transport methods.
- The day was established to underline the bicycle’s role in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
- World Bike Day emphasises the environmental, health, and economic benefits of cycling, advocating for broader societal changes to tackle global issues through local actions, like encouraging widespread bike usage.
Marshall Thurlow is the Director and Founder of Orion Marketing Pty Ltd. He is a digital marketer with expertise in SEO, website design, content marketing and project management.
