UN urges eco-friendly cycling for better mental, physical health

04 / 06 / 2020

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The United Nations (UN) called for boosting use of bikes as cycling has proved to be effective for social distancing during the coronavirus lockdown, it is also proved to be helpful for improving not only physical health, but also mental one.

Bikes are an affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally friendly means of transportation and are being recognized as a key component of post COVID-19 ‘green recovery’.

The World Bicycle Day on June 3 highlights the potential for transforming the way the world moves around, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, helping create a healthier, more sustainable future, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

Cycling has not only proved to be largely pandemic-proof, it seems to be growing in popularity in many cities, including the home of UN Headquarters – New York.

The WHO recommends cycling both as a mode of transport and as a way of staying healthy throughout and after the global crisis.

“Evidence suggests that even before COVID-19, many people turned to cycling as an affordable and equitable mode of transportation, leading to a longer and healthier life”, said Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the UN General Assembly. “Cycling has not only proven to improve physical health, but also has a positive impact on mental health and subjective well-being”.

Benefits of cycling:

Bicycles have surged in popularity as many governments continue to look for ways to ease lockdown measures, provide recreational opportunities to those living in cities and fill a gap left by limited public transport  – all while maintaining physical distance, to keep the virus at bay.

As a reliable, clean, environmentally friendly means of transportation, bikes are also being recognized as a key component of the post COVID-19 “green recovery”.

“Safe, efficient, low carbon and affordable mobility for all, is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, said Mr. Mohammad-Bande.

And cycling not only contributes to healthy, liveable cities by limiting pollution, it also keeps people physically active.

“In times of COVID-19, cities are being challenged to rethink their infrastructure, with bicycles playing a vital role in offering a quiet, economical, and non-polluting alternative to cars and public transportation systems”, maintained the UN official.

What governments should do to promote cycling:

On World Bicycle Day, the UN is encouraging governments to improve road safety and better integrate the needs of cyclists into the design of transport infrastructure.

With millions of people around the world using bicycles as their primary means of transportation, it is essential that their needs are better incorporated into policy and transport infrastructure investments.

“Measures to safeguard pedestrians and cyclists are a key part of building the urban spaces of tomorrow”, according to the UN Environment Program (UNEP).

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, cities across Europe and the Americas – including London, New York, Paris, Berlin, Milan and Bogata – have come up with plans to free up street space, normally dominated by cars, for the exclusive use of cyclists and pedestrians, for at least certain periods each week.

And UNEP is supporting a “Share the Road Program”, aimed at moving away from prioritizing a car-driving minority, towards investing in infrastructure for the majority: those who walk and cycle.

“Investing in city infrastructure to support cycling, from protected lanes to bike-share programs, will contribute to a more safe, resilient and sustainable future for all of us”, said the Assembly president.

World Bicycle Day is not only a celebration of this instrument of zero emissions mobility and connectivity, it is an opportunity to come together to maximize the potential of biking and what it can do for human health and the environment.