How to celebrate World Bicycle Day – Cycling out of Poverty

Learn about International World Bicycle Day and how to celebrate the day with Cycling out of Poverty.

WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL BICYCLE DAY
On April 12th 2018 the United Nations declared June 3rd as International Bicycle Day by adopting a resolution during the 72nd Regular Sessions of the UN General Assembly in New York City. World Bicycle Day is a global day acknowledging 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, fostering environmental stewardship and health.

WHEN IS INTERNATIONAL WORLD BICYCLE DAY
International World Bicycle Day is celebrated on June 3rd. In 2018 the first official World Bicycle Day will be celebrated.

WHY CELEBRATE THE BICYCLE?
– The bicycle is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation;
– The bicycle can serve as a tool for development and as a means not just of transportation but also of access to education, health care and sport;
– The synergy between the bicycle and the user fosters creativity and social engagement and gives the user an immediate awareness of the local environment;
– The bicycle is a symbol of sustainable transportation and conveys a positive message to foster sustainable consumption and production, and has a positive impact on climate.

Celebrating the bicycle through World Bicycle Day is an acknowledgment of the contribution of the bicycle to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Cycling delivers directly on at least 12 of the 17 SGDs. For information on how cycling delivers on the global goals, read the ECF/WCA publication ‘Cycling Delivers on the Global Goals‘.

INTERNATIONAL WORLD BICYCLE DAY AND CYCLING OUT OF POVERTY
The declaration of International World Bicycle Day is also a strong acknowledgement of the work CooP-Africa (Cycling out of Poverty) does to improve the livelihoods of African families through her bicycle development programmes: Bike4School, Bike4Care and Bike4Work. Through these bicycle projects in Africa the bicycle provides possibilities for better access to education, health care and improves the socioeconomic position of African families. Besides, the bicycle is an environmentally-friendly mode of transport which provides opportunities for a sustainable society.

CELEBRATE BY DONATING TO COOP-AFRICA (CYCLING OUT OF POVERTY)
Consider making a donation to CooP-Africa (Cycling out of Poverty) in celebration of International World Bicycle Day to help empower students, health volunteers and farmers with bicycles. With bicycles, students can combine their household chores and school, make it to school on time despite the long distances and are not exhausted in class anymore due to the long walk and can pay more attention in class. With bicycles, health care volunteers can visit twice as many house holds in a day. This enables them to make their health care services more efficient and effective so they can monitor their patients better. And in case of emergencies they can be faster. For instance pregnant mothers benefit of this improved health care system since they will be monitored more closely before and after giving birth and more childbirths will be supervised with skilled health care workers. With bicycles, farmers can access markets. This is essential to give them access to agriculture inputs like quality seeds, fertilisers, water, etc. And enables them to sell their crops at more (and further away) markets.
Donate to celebrate International World Bicycle Day>

CELEBRATE BY FUNDRAISING FOR COOP-AFRICA (CYCLING OUT OF POVERTY)
What better way to celebrate International World Bicycle Day than through fundraising? Bring your friends and community together, cooperating to organise a fundraising event on World Bicycle Day. Involve your local schools, businesses, and faith groups. If you are active you can celebrate International World Bicycle Day with a ride in support of bicycles in Africa. If you are more of the creative type you can organise a sponsored bake sales or sell of your old bicycles and donate the earnings.
Fundraise to celebrate International World Bicycle Day>

CELEBRATE BY USING THE WORLD BICYCLE DAY HASHTAG
The International World Bicycle Day hashtag is #June3WorldBicycleDay. Support Cycling out of Poverty’s work by sharing your commitment and support by using #June3WorldBicycleDay and #aBikeMakesTheDifference to let your family, friends and network know about our work to improve access to education, health care and income with bicycles in Africa.