On the road towards the UN climate change conference in Paris
Sport has a universal appeal, and cycling is one of the most important pillars of the Olympic Movement. Even the French Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic movement, was an avid bike rider, and affectionately called his bike “Nini.”
He immensely enjoyed bicycle riding among other sports activities in his lifetime. Wouldn’t it be great if the global cycling community could follow de Coubertin’s lead and once again realise the joy and benefits of cycling?
Just recently the creator of Connect4Climate, Lucia Grenna, nostalgically revealed her trustworthy “Bianchi” as her top choice for transport. It is obvious that things are looking up for Cycling4Climate!
Many of us simply underestimate the uniqueness, longevity, versatility and simplicity of the bicycle. Besides its obvious roles as an environmentally friendly form of transportation and enhancer of health, there is also something very special about bikes.
The synergy between the bike and the rider is such that it promotes mental relaxation, encourages excellent opportunities for leisure, and enhances social interaction. It also helps the rider gain a greater awareness of his immediate and/or local environment.
Sport has the potential to be an influential if not the most influential element in the environmental movement. It has the potential to be more influential than politics and more influential than business.
Sport has the capacity to transform the way people view the planet and to encourage them to be advocates for environmental change.
I believe that the cycling community can and should be a strong leading voice from the global sports industry about how doing something so simple can benefit our health and the health of our planet. This is especially important as we travel the road to Paris: COP 21.
[This article has been edited by the Operating Team]
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- Related article: Cycling is everyone’s business
- Related article: Mobilise me: World Bicycle Relief
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