It appears that Saturday, June 3 is World Bicycle Day. Those of us who live in rural Colorado probably didn’t realize we needed a special day to jump on our mountain bikes and ride through town, or cycle a 20-mile-plus trail. It’s part of our lifestyle here to be out enjoying nature.
the logo for World Bicycle Day
But apparently, other parts of the globe aren’t as lucky — or as outdoorsy as we are. In April 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day.
The resolution for World Bicycle Day recognizes “the uniqueness, longevity, and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport.”
The movement to establish a World Bicycle Day began with a Poland Sociologist working in the United States but spread quickly to 56 countries around the globe. It gained traction in many third-world countries, where poverty has made the bicycle the most popular mode of transportation.
Bikes of all types for rent or purchase at Subculture Cyclery 129 North G Street in Salida. Photo by Merrell Bergin
In Europe, where historic cities often have narrow streets, cities can be clogged with tourists, and cars are often not allowed in old-town areas, bicycling everywhere is booming, and not just for those reasons. There environmentalists have picked up the mantle, reminding Europeans that bicycles don’t pollute.
In case any of us want to get off the trails we frequent here in Chaffee County and in the Central Colorado Rockies, a group known as “LawnStarter” has done a 2023 ranking of Best Biking Cities in the U.S. in which to bike.
It compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on 27 key indicators of a cyclist-friendly lifestyle, such as access to bike trails and bike rentals, the share of bike commuters, the presence of cycling clubs, and the number of bike races and tours.
If you’ve got to bike in the city — it’s probably good to know the best ones in which to bike ride.
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