Bicycle - the most affordable and convenient transport in every sense. In the warm season, a two-wheeled car is becoming increasingly important. A fast, inexpensive and environmentally friendly vehicle is equally popular among influential officials and politicians, as well as among the smallest inhabitants on Earth. The main idea of the bike festival is to show that a bicycle can be a reasonable transport alternative in spite of stereotypes.
Cycling traditions in different states
For the first time, Bicycle Day was celebrated in Switzerland in 1973, and then the idea was picked up in many countries of the world.
The most "bicycle" countries of Europe are Denmark, Holland and Germany, where great is the most common means of travel. Such popularity is the result of the current policy, because updating the two-wheeled car leads to unloading cities from vehicles, which helps to improve the environment. Russia occupies the last position in the European list of cycling.
Holland bike festival
On Bicycle Day, the whole country sets out in the saddle of a two-wheeled car. This event takes place on the second Saturday of May every year for many years. This is facilitated by a developed network of cycle roads, favorable climatic conditions, as well as special traffic lights and parking. Most of the Dutch life goes by bicycle, and the two-wheeled attribute has long been a symbol of the country. Even a Dutch policeman's outfit comes with such a convenient and fast means of transportation. The bicycle is considered a family heirloom and is passed on from generation to generation.
Bicycle Denmark
Each family has a national mode of transport, and bicycle management courses are offered free of charge. Copenhagen’s authorities are determined to transplant 50% of the population on bicycles. The city has 400 km of bicycle roads.
VeloFinland
In the northern country, despite the cold climate, the bike is very popular. "Velograd" is Oulu, a small policy in the north-west of the country. Municipal authorities sprinkle 600 km of cycle tracks with gravel instead of salt and clean them from snow by the start of a new day.
VeloGermany
German public organizations have developed and implemented a project for the distribution of bicycle transport, which resulted in a developed infrastructure, an increased length of roads for cyclists and the organization of bicycle schools amid informational popularization.
Bicycle celebration in the USA
In New York, from the mid-19th century, a mass bike ride along a closed route through five districts of the city with a route length of 68 kilometers was held on holiday. May 1, more than 30 thousand people take part in it. After the city bike race, the race continues to celebrate Cyclist Blessing Day at a vibrant festival of music, food and drinks in Staten Island, one of New York's greenest areas.
All about the festival of cyclists in Russia
In Russia, Bicycle Day was first held in Belgorod in 2005. Then the relay was supported by Nizhny Novgorod. Moscow responded with the first action in 2008.
The Moscow Department of Environmental Protection testified to the least amount of harmful emissions (2.7 tons less) into the atmosphere if the city forgets about using cars for one day. The action "City as a Space for People" is held annually, the idea of which is to promote ecological transport. On unofficial Bicycle Day, history mentions its prototype - the invention of a serf on two wheels.
History of occurrence
According to legend, in the first year of the 19th century, the peasant Artamonov Efim came up with a metal structure on two wheels. It was different from a modern vehicle in that it had a wooden seat and a steering wheel, and the front rim was the size of a person, while the rear wheel was much smaller. The serf peasant himself tested his creation, having gone on the first bike ride from the Ural village to Moscow at the request of his master, who wanted to show the curiosity to the tsar. For the invention of the “scooter,” the peasant and his future generation were presented with liberation from bondage, and the vehicle began to gain popularity and love in Russian society. Artamonov’s invention can be seen in the museum of local lore in Nizhny Tagil.
International Bicycle Day, April 19, is associated with the discovery of the first psychedelic sensation and the memory of the scientist Albert Hofmann. On this day, the chemist experienced the effect of the drug hippie - LSD, not suspecting that this tool will find widespread use as entertainment. In wartime, the scientist used a bicycle to move from the laboratory to the house, but this time under the influence of LSD he experienced extremely strange impressions during the ride.
As cyclist’s day is celebrated in Russia
Bicycle day in Russia is celebrated on the last weekend of May and is not a public holiday. The symbols of the day are the green and white colors that adorn the biker shirts. White-green stickers and badges are made, flags of white-green shades are set on the transport itself. By tradition, on this day, cyclists raise their iron "friends" above their heads, which symbolizes the emblem of the day. A large-scale bike ride begins with the collection of columns in each district, which then come to a designated place, from where they start the procession along the main streets of the cities. The grand cycling festival ends with an open-air holiday, entertainments and competitions in nature. Bicycle Day in Moscow is held under the slogan "To work on a bicycle."
This year, the capital's bicycle parade will be held on May 29 and will cover the streets of the Garden Ring. Contests and special offers from partners of the Let's bike it project, proclaiming the possibility of cycling and drawing attention to the problems of the urban environment, are waiting for participants.
Interesting Facts
- Monument to the bicycle is installed in Simferopol. It is gigantic in size and dedicated to the bike day.
- Bicycle Day is often organized as a carnival parade of columns or with professional groups.
- About 95% of all bicycles are made in China.
- The world bicycle speed indicator is set at 268.8 km per hour.
- The total number of bicycles exceeds the number of all cars twice.