World Bicycle Day is celebrated every June 3, in order to make visible the importance of an ecological and healthy means of transport. In fact, its use helps to mitigate the crisis in the world today, due to pollution and climate change that the Planet is experiencing.
Under this premise, the United Nations (UN) declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day, because “it constitutes a sustainable, simple, affordable, reliable, clean and ecological means of transport that contributes to environmental management.” and benefits health.
Why move by bike?
Practicing sports activities of moderate intensity, such as walking, cycling or playing sports, has great health benefits. Under this premise, the UN affirms that sport has no age, since the benefits are greater and doing any type of physical activity is better than nothing.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), providing a safe infrastructure for physical activities, such as changing or cycling, is the path to achieving greater equity in health.
In fact, it is no secret to anyone that for the poorest urban sectors, who cannot afford their own vehicles, walking or cycling can become their means of transportation, as confirmed by the UN.
On the other hand, at the same time they can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, diabetes, and even death. Likewise, the UN affirmed that the improvement of active transport (walking, cycling or using public transport) is therefore not only a matter of health, it can mean greater equity and effectiveness in terms of costs.
“Meeting the needs of these cyclists and pedestrians therefore remains crucial to solving the mobility problems of cities, to mitigate the increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to population growth and to improve the quality of the environment. air and road safety”, he highlighted on his official website.
Cycling and sustainable development
World Bicycle Day draws attention to the benefits of cycling, a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally sustainable means of transport.
For this reason, recognizing the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and which constitutes a sustainable, simple, affordable, reliable, clean and ecological means of transport that contributes to environmental management and benefits health, the General Assembly decided to declare June 3 as World Bicycle Day.
Benefits of riding a bike
It prevents illnesses. Riding a bicycle reduces the risk of heart attack by more than 50%, benefits muscles and bones, prevents diabetes and improves mental health. According to the portal, Gualeguaychu.
It helps you lose weight. Like all exercise, it helps burn extra calories. Depending on the intensity and amount of time that is practiced, it helps to lower fat levels and prevent obesity. In fact, it allows you to burn up to 300 calories in half an hour of pedaling at a leisurely pace. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston cycling just 5 minutes a day can help women reduce weight gain as they enter middle age.
Save on fuel. It is a great ally of the domestic economy, using it represents savings in fuel, public transport and own vehicle. In addition, it allows the person to avoid city traffic and take care of the environment.
Source: www.elpais.com.co