Foreign
THE Director of the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria, Ronald Kayanja, has urged all state governments in Nigeria to integrate bicycle corridor into their cities’ transport infrastructure planning and design.
“This will protect and promote safety of pedestrians and cycling mobility, with a view to improving health, particularly the prevention of injuries and non-communicable diseases amongst the people,” Kayanja explained.
UNIC’s Director of Information, Oluseyi Soremekun, in a statement on Monday in Abuja quoted Kayanja as making the remark at the observance of the World Bicycle Day.
The event which held in Lagos was organised by UNIC and the Cycology Cycling club.
Kayanja also advocated for the use of bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people.
He said bicycle should be used for promoting health, preventing disease, promoting tolerance, mutual understanding, respect and facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace.
“Cycling empowers people. Cycling promotes peace and development. Cycling promotes good health and well-being.
“Cycling will reduce urban transport emissions if encouraged in the cities. Cycling is an enabler of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
The UNIC Director noted that the General Assembly resolution on the World Bicycle Day was in acknowledgment of the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle.
“This 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.”
Soremekun also quoted the Captain of Cycology Cycling Club, Bimpe Olufemi, as commending the UN for declaring every June 3 as the World Cycling Day.
This, she said, would encourage people to imbibe the culture of cycling which would further enhance the well-being of the people.
She however, called for infrastructural development that would make cycling safe and enjoyable.
The statement added that the UN Resolution on World Bicycle Day, among others, “invites all Member-States and other relevant stakeholders to regularly cooperate in observing World Bicycle Day.
“Encourages Member-States to devote particular attention to the bicycle in cross-cutting development strategies and to include the bicycle in international, regional, national and subnational development policies and programmes, as appropriate
– Jun 4, 2018 @ 17:38 GMT |
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Tags: UN urges state governments to create bicycle tracks in cities
