World Bicycle Day
The General Assembly decided to declare 3 June as World Bicycle Day; Acknowledging the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, The United Nations encourages stakeholders to emphasize and advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people, promoting health, preventing disease, promoting tolerance, mutual understanding and respect and facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace. The Assembly welcomed initiatives to organize bicycle rides at the national and local levels as a means of strengthening physical and mental health and well-being and developing a culture of cycling in society.
FORUM: World Bicycle Day 2020. Bicycles as driver of post-COVID-19 ‘green recovery’
Can bicycles be a solution to the challenges of the post-COVID-19 recovery? European member countries of the United Nations recently created a taskforce to take this question further and discuss ways to make post-COVID-19 mobility more environmentally sound, healthy and sustainable. Bicycle is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health.
ACTIONS PLANS
DECLARATION
The right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health: sport and healthy lifestyles as contributing factors (A/HRC/RES/26/18)
Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (A/RES/66/2)
WUF10 Public Art – Bicycle sculpture by the sea.
“You can walk down to the sculpture,” said the guide, “or,” and he paused to pique interest, “you can use one of these new public bicycles and follow the bike lane.” He gestured enticingly at a row of brand new, green, semi-electric bicycles. For the group of World Urban Forum delegates it was a no-brainer. Soon they were whizzing down the green, segregated bicycle lane that hugs the sea along the corniche in Abu Dhabi. “We’re here today to unveil this piece of art which is part of our cooperation between UN-Habitat and the city of Abu Dhabi,” said Christine Knudsen of UN-Habitat. “It is to leave a legacy, carrying forward the memory of the Tenth Session of the World Urban Forum.” This is the first time the world’s largest sustainable urbanization forum has been held in the Arab region.
The new public art sculpture, called “Forever Bicycle” by Ai Wei Wei, consists of 720 carefully stacked bicycles. The repetitive clean lines creates an optical illusion, and is a magnet for your eyes. In fact, it can be a little dizzying when approached straight on. “Today, under the For Abu Dhabi Initiative and other municipality efforts, we are building hundreds of cycling lanes here within the city,” elaborated Salem Al Junaibi, from the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport. “We have approximately 400km of cycle lanes that we are putting here in Abu Dhabi island. These will be spread out all across the city, as a means of getting people from point A to point B, wherever that may be.”
The public art piece was specifically loaned for the World Urban Forum. “This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase how we look at public space, urban mobility, and public artwork, to draw communities together, to create safer and more comfortable areas where communities can interact.” contextualises Ms. Knudsen. “This is part what we are trying to achieve with the World Urban Forum and our work in UN-Habitat, to create safe, sustainable and resilient cities.” As she speaks behind her residents take selfies between the silver bike frames of the sculpture, and a cheerful cyclist spins by. “Our legacy will carry forward with the people of Abu Dhabi.”