Cycling: World Bicycle Day activities |05 June 2019

The riders before the start of and during the race

Big crowd gathers to promote ‘June 3 World Bicycle Day’ 

In its effort to promote cycling and celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, the high commission of India in Seychelles, in collaboration with the National Sports Council (NSC), hosted a bicycle festival in Victoria on Sunday, encouraging people to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

The event which featured a cycling rally, alongside a cycling race, gathered riders of all ages on different models and types of bicycles.

For the race, the cyclists started at the Stad Popiler car park, rode down Francis Rachel Street towards the clock tower, down Independence Avenue and back to the car park via Francis Rachel Street. They did the circuit 12 times and it was Stephen Belle who crossed the line first, ahead of Jean-Yves Souyave and Ahmad Arissol.

In April 2018, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared June 3 as International World Bicycle Day. The resolution for World Bicycle Day recognises 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 transportation.

Professor Leszek Sibilski from the United States led a grassroots campaign with his sociology class to promote a UN Resolution for World Bicycle Day, eventually gaining the support of Turkmenistan and 56 other countries.

The original UN Blue and White #June3WorldBicycleDay logo was designed by Isaac Feld and the accompanying animation was done by Professor John E. Swanson. It depicts bicyclists of various types riding around the globe. At the bottom of the logo is the hashtag #June3WorldBicycleDay. The main message is to show that the bicycle belongs to and serves all of humanity.

World Bicycle Day is a global holiday meant to be enjoyed by all people regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, class, sex, gender, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. The bicycle as a symbol of human progress and advancement promotes tolerance, mutual understanding and respect and facilitates social inclusion and a culture of peace.

World Bicycle Day is now being associated with promoting a healthy lifestyle for those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

R. D.