All of us have fond memories of getting our first bicycle, learning how to ride it, the cuts and bruises from falling, riding through our neighborhood with friends – these are memories we will always cherish. Growing up, cycling has been a rite of passage, and its significance only increased with time. Whether it is a basic two-wheeler, a mountain bike, or one with training wheels, World Bicycle Day celebrates the exhilaration of cycling.
It all started when U.S.-based Professor Leszek Sibilski initiated a grassroots campaign with his sociology class to promote a U.N. resolution that would designate a day for the advocacy and celebration of the humble bicycle all over the world. In 2015, Sibilski dedicated himself to an academic project, exploring bicycles and their role in development. His project catapulted into a massive movement backed by ‘Sustainable Mobility for All,’ and eventually resulted in a dedicated international day set by the United Nations for the promotion of bicycling.
On April 12, 2018, the resolution declaring June 3 as World Bicycle Day was unanimously adopted by all 193 member states of the UN General Assembly. The resolution was greatly supported by Turkmenistan and co-sponsored by around 56 countries.
The day honours the numerous sorts of bicyclists who exist around the world. “Uniqueness, versatility, and longevity of the bicycle as a simple, sustainable, economical, and reliable mode of transportation” is the theme of World Bicycle Day.
Isaac Feld with the assistance of Professor John E. Swanson designed the logo for World Bicycle Day, showing bicyclists riding various types of bicycles around the world. The message here is that a simple contraption serves all of humanity and bridges the gap between people from different walks of life.
This June let us cycle our woes away! Happy World Bicycle Day 2021!
“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.” – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
* above collage is made using photos shared by Xaxti Riders on their whatsapp group.