WORLD BICYCLE DAY WAS CELEBRATED IN TURKMENISTAN

On the 3rd of June 2019, the World Bicycle Day established by the UN General Assembly Resolution upon the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was celebrated in Ashgabat.  Along with Turkmenistan, the World Bicycle Day was celebrated in many countries of the world.       

In honor of the holiday, a mass bicycle ride took place in the Turkmen capital in participation of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. 

Early morning, numerous residents of the capital gathered on their bikes near the park starting from the Health Path in the outskirts of the Kopetdag Mountains where the general bike ride started.  The members of the Government, key officials of the Parliament (Mejlis), defense and law-enforcement agencies, ministries and sector organizations of the country, heads of the diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan, representatives of the non-governmental organizations, mass media, as well as the youths and students participated to the event.    

After the arrival to the starting point of the general bike ride, the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addressed the gathered with the welcoming speech.  Congratulating everyone with the World Bicycle Day, the President noted that this international holiday contributes to the strengthening of the human health, careful approach to the environment, as well as the promotion of sport and physical culture.      

The President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) David Lappartient, Chairman of the international group of companies “Areti” I.Makarov, as well as the world-famous sportsmen became the guests of honor at the celebration.

The President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov rode through the Archabil avenue, and then along the Bitarap Turkmenistan street with a total distance of 15 000 meters, thus reaching the final arc. 

Prior to the general bike ride, official representative of the World Guinness Book Sheyda Subashi-Gemidji congratulated the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan with the World Bicycle Day and informed that on the 1st of June 2019, a new world record was established in the Olympic city of Ashgabat - the longest one way cyclists’ column.  The bike riders gathered in one column at a certain distance and drove through the entire Olympic village, overcoming the distance of 3300 meters.               

It should be noted that along with the other types of sports, cycling gained new progress in Turkmenistan.  In April 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution announcing the World Bicycle Day that was initiated by Turkmenistan.

A modern covered indoor velodrome of world class was built in the country as a part of the Olympic city complex.  Also cycling became a part of the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games program that took place in September 2017.  Upon the initiative of the national leader, general cycling rides, ‘days without vehicles’ are organized in the country on regular basis which contributes to the increase of amateurs and adherents of this type of sport.         

Being harmless for the ecology, cycling gains higher popularity in the world.  And now there is a new holiday that unites the countries and people.  This is yet another input of our country in global development, wellness movement and attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.        

In the framework of the event, the Chairman of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) David Lappartient announced the resolution of the UCI to award the Turkmen Leader with the Certificate of Gratitude for personal input in the promotion of cycling.  The decision of the Union Cycliste Internationale on holding the World Track Cycling Championship in Ashgabat in 2021 was also announced.

The International Bicycle Day was also celebrated by the Embassies of Turkmenistan abroad by the organization of bike rides.  Such tours were held in the capitals of Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Romania, Austria, Germany, Belarus, Iran and India.  Turkmen and foreign diplomats, heads of non-governmental organizations and sport agencies, the youths, including the students from Turkmenistan participated to the general bike rides. / Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan /