The Polish foreign ministry said in a statement that the Executive Board of UNESCO on May 19 adopted the "Bicycle for all - Bicycle for sustainable and healthy lifestyles" decision as an initiative by Poland and an "inter-regional coalition" consisting of Austria, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, and Kenya.

The statement added that the initiative was "adopted with considerable acclamation" and co-sponsored by several dozen countries "representing all inhabited continents."

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's "Bicycle For All" initiative aims to promote the bicycle as a means of sustainable development, according to the Polish foreign ministry.

"The purpose of the decision adopted by the UNESCO Executive Board is to draw the attention of the Member States and the Organization itself to the bicycle as a tool that contributes to the implementation of the sustainable development goals, included in the UN 2030 Agenda," the Polish foreign ministry's statement said on Friday.

"UNESCO, as a specialized UN institution for education, science and culture, is an excellent platform for promoting the bicycle as an element of education policy, sustainable development, and a means of transport valued by many cultures," it added.

The "Bicycle For All" initiative "underlines the importance of the bicycle as a climate-friendly and easy-to-use means of transportation and community-accessible integration," according to the Polish foreign ministry.

The initiative also calls on member states to develop cycling infrastructure and ensure safety for both cyclists and pedestrians, the Polish foreign ministry said.

https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7791/artykul/3172156,poland-hails-historic-unesco-initiative-to-promote-bike-use