United Nations officials, Government representatives, and members of the Bahrain Cycling Association came together on Monday to celebrate World Bicycle Day, marked annually on June 3, at a cycling event at the Nasser Bin Hamad loop in Zallaq.
Participants, including His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunication, and His Excellency Mr. Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, took part in a 10-km bicycle tour.
"On World Bicycle Day, we celebrate the power of the bicycle as a simple, affordable, and sustainable means of transportation. Bicycles contribute to promoting health, reducing carbon emissions, and fostering community connections,” said the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Khaled El Mekwad.
“In Bahrain, the United Nations is committed to supporting the Government’s efforts to create a safe, inclusive, and healthy environment, including for cyclists, and to encourage more people to adopt this healthy, eco-friendly mode of transport.”
World Bicycle Day highlights the benefits of cycling, which contribute to cleaner air and reduced congestion, thereby making education, healthcare, and other essential social services more accessible to the most vulnerable populations.
On 15 March 2022, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on integrating mainstream bicycling into public transportation systems for sustainable development. It emphasised that the bicycle is an instrument of sustainable transportation, conveying a positive message to foster sustainable consumption and production, and has a positive impact on the climate.