June 3rd is celebrated in some European countries as the Bicycle Day. This special day was created in 1998 to draw attention to the increasing burden of car traffic and to focus more on the bicycle as an environmentally friendly means of transport. The Bicycle Day also has international significance and is celebrated as World Bicycle Day to raise awareness of sustainable mobility and environmental protection. In this blog article we would like to highlight the increasing popularity of the bicycle in everyday life and on the road.
The Bicycle Day is used by bicycle associations to draw attention to the stress in road traffic. The day is being duly celebrated on the bike with excursions and star tours to raise awareness of this environmentally friendly means of transport. More people are encouraged to use bicycles for their daily commute to reduce the burden of car traffic. Although June 3rd is considered as the Bicycle Day, there are events throughout the year to mark the changing traffic conditions.
According to the “Fahrrad-Monitor” study by the SINUS Institute commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport, around 16 million people in Germany are thinking about buying a bike. The willingness to spend on bicycles is on average just over 1,000 euros. Pedelecs and mountain bikes are particularly popular. Company bike leasing models offer around 4% of the population an attractive opportunity to purchase a bicycle.
The study shows that people have concrete demands on politicians in the area of cycling. This includes the expansion of cycle paths, a better separation of cyclists and other road users, the establishment of safe bicycle parking facilities and cycle lanes.
Cyclists’ sense of security is increasing, as the bicycle monitor shows. In 2021, 63% of respondents said they felt very or fairly safe when cycling, compared to 56% in 2019. However, one element of uncertainty is still the lack of separate cycle lanes.
According to “Fahrrad-Monitor”, the number of people wearing bicycle helmets has increased significantly. Almost half of all cyclists (45%) report wearing a bike helmet all or most of the time, compared to 30% in 2019. This increase is particularly noticeable among the 60-69 year olds, 20-29 year olds and 14 year olds -19 year olds. Educational campaigns by the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport have contributed to this positive development.
In conclusion, the Bicycle Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness of sustainable mobility and the use of bicycles in everyday life. The increasing popularity of the bicycle as a means of transport is reflected in a growing bicycle market and consumers’ greater willingness to spend money. However, it is also important to ensure the safety of cyclists and to continuously improve cycling infrastructure. With the right awareness and commitment, the bicycle can play an important role in a green and sustainable transport future.
How often do you use the bicycle as a means of transport? What impact does Bike Day have on your awareness of sustainable mobility?
Sources:
fahrradmagazin.net – Tag des Fahrrads
Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr: Fahrrad-Monitor
Image from Canva
