3rd June- World Bicycle Day

3rd June- World Bicycle Day

On April 12, 2018, on the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly on the initiative of the Honourable President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Resolution 72/272, which declares 3rd June of each year as the “World Bicycle Day” was adopted

Ashgabat (Pakistan Point News - 03rd June, 2019) On April 12, 2018, on the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly on the initiative of the Honourable President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Resolution 72/272, which declares 3rd June of each year as the “World Bicycle Day” was adopted. The Resolution of the UN General Assembly Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other relevant international organizations, international, regional and national sports organizations, civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, and all other relevant stakeholders to cooperate in observing World Bicycle Day, to celebrate the Day and to promote awareness of it. President of Turkmenistan, GurbangulyBerdimuhamedovalways takes part in mass action together with the compatriots, which became an exemplary input too health-improving movement in the country, to support of cycling, popularization of sports in general as well as the call for assertion of new ecological understanding, for improvement of responsibility of the society for the environment. According to the President’s opinion, such actions support the improvement of health of the population, growth of ecological wealth and popularization of cycling. Such events motivate the participants for further going in for favorite sports more systematically. In addition, sports mass actions together with health-improving and educational direction bring positive emotional charge combining entertainment and propaganda functions. Participation of President GurbangulyBerdimuhamedov in such kind of events highlights all projects related to health of the nation, serves as vivid evidence that formation of integrated national system of physical, spiritual and moral improvement is the government political dominant. Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Islamic Republicof Pakistan Page 1 of 4 At present time cyclists of all ages can be seen everywhere in Turkmenistan. Together with boys and girls, many adults recall the feeling of the childhood riding two-wheel vehicle. There are many of those who ride the bicycles for the first time. Every day the number of supporters of this transport grows. It is obvious that the idea has not just been adopted but found wide response and numerous followers, which indicates its appropriateness and requirement. UN GA Resolution on World Bicycle Day co-sponsored by 56 countries and was the evidence of unanimous recognition of the initiatives of Turkmen state aimed at the consolidation of peace, friendship and fruitful cooperation.This historical event is another evidence of growing international authority of Turkmenistan and its commitment to the principles of peace-loving, humanity and efficient cooperation. The cycling is widely spread in the world and in one of the most known sports included in the programme of the Olympic Games. Its history began front the first big races held in France between Paris and Rouen in 1869. Nowadays, the cycling not only reflects the changes in sport sphere but also is the evidence of the triumph of peace-loving goals, friendship and solidarity of humankind. Turkmenistan pays great attention to approchement of the nations, consolidation of peace, positive relations and cooperation in the planet. Turkmenistan intensifies and consolidates the collaboration with International Olympic Committee, Olympic Council of Asia and the UN Office on Sports for Development and Peace, the World Health Organization as well with other competent interregional associations in this direction. President of Turkmenistan highlights that bicycle helps to take care of the environment and to improve health among the main advantages of such ecologically friendly transport as bicycle, which has been used by people for more than 200 years. It is worth to mention that on June 1, 2018, new world record has been registered during the cycling awareness lesson in Ashgabat Stadium, in which 3246 people took part. In this event master class on riding a bicycle was given and awareness work on traffic safety and ecological education was carried out. This fact was officially registered by the Guinness World Records and confirmed by relative certificate, which was presented during current event on occasion of the World Bicycle Day. Therefore, Turkmen capital was entered again into the World Records Book, having continued the series of its achievements including in sports. There are already the facilities of Ashgabat Olympic village in the Book. These are the image of Akhal-Teke horse at the Olympic Stadium and Water Sports Complex with the largest indoor swimming pool. Turkmenistan realizes programme measures for popularization of cycling and attraction of all population especially the youth to this environmentally friendly sport. Exchange of practices, establishment of bilateral contracts will provide the creation of necessary opportunities for integrated development of cycling.

It is worth mentioning that 190 national federation and 5 continental cycling confederations as well as great numbers of lovers in parts of the planet joins the annual celebration of the World Bicycle Day. They are all united by the idea of Turkmen leader to create and develop cycling culture for the citizens of all ages and physical abilities would be able to take part in this movement and to enjoy the riding with the use for their health. Mass Cycling and cultural events on the occasion of the World Bicycle Day promotes the image of Turkmenistan as a country of health and sports. Turkmenistan adopted the state programmes developed at the request of President GurbangulyBerdimuhamedov on training of high-class sportsmen and started integrated reforms. All regions of the country including Avaza National Tourist zone have sport facilities, stadiums, equestrian complexes, specialized sport schools, entertainment and recreation centers and sanatoriums. Ashgabat itself has around 40 facilities equipped in accordance with the requirements of International Olympic Committee including the Olympic village, which has 16 structures designated for various sports. Having successfully conducted V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2017, Turkmenistan appeared in front of the world as the country with the capabilities of organization of international sport competitions. The programme of the Games also included the track racings. Competitions of this spectacular discipline were held at one of the facilities of the Olympic Village – an excellent Indoor Racing Track. Its track meet relative international standards and modern requirements for such facilities by all parameters. Page 3 of 4 Facilities of the track allow conducting international competitions and tournaments including the world championships. The facility has all necessary infrastructure making optimal conditions for sportsmen and coaches, technical and service personnel and, of course, for the spectators - the lovers of this sport. New page in the history of national cycling movement has been opened after the opening of indoor track at the Olympic village in Ashgabat as suchkind of facility was built for the first time in Turkmenistan. The quality of the facility was appreciated not only by the participants of test national competitions but also by the specialist of International Cycling Union, having expressed the interest in organization of the world championships there. There is a tendency of the development of sport participatory in the country and cycling is one of available and “folk” type of physical activity. Finally, cycling is a great emotional pleasure and wonderful opportunity to study the world, visit sanctuary parts of the nature without making any harm to environment. Therefore, it is no wonder that bicycle was the winner of the international poll on the most outstanding invention of humankind. By number of votes, it took over the telephone and internet together. The fact that 56 countries representing almost all regions of the planet were the co- authors of the UN document of International Bicycle Day speaks of the appropriateness and importance of this initiative, its requirement in modern world.

International Bicycle Day was also marked in many countries of the world where sport and entertainment actions were held on June 3. Turkmenistan Embassies to foreign countries initiates cycling races. Such mass raids with the participation of Turkmen and foreign diplomats, heads of non-governmental, sport organizations, the youth including Turkmen students studying in foreign universities is held in the capitals of the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand and other countries.