The bicycle has and will continue to play an important role in the life of Vietnamese both in the past, at present and in the future, said a Vietnamese diplomat at the first celebration of World Bicycle Day held by the UN on June 3 in New York.

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN addresses the first celebration of the World Bicycle Day held by the UN on June 3 in New York 

Addressing the observation at the campus of the UN headquarters, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, said the bicycle is a reliable, affordable, clean and environmentally fit means of transportation.

It creates a healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyle and helps foster sustainable consumption and production, she added.

She also described the bicycle as a companion of Vietnamese people in the past, at present and in the future.

In the past, the bicycle played a crucial role in the cause of national independence and freedom.

Nowadays, it has become an economical and popular means of transportation in both rural and urban areas.

The bicycle has been the aspiration for many artistic, literary and musical works in Vietnam, she said. 

Nga also emphasised the importance of the bicycle to realising the country’s sustainable development goals.

On April 12, 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution declaring June 3 as World Bicycle Day to encourage member states to devote attention to the bicycle in development strategies and improving road safety.

Vietnam was one of the first countries to co-sponsor this resolution.-VNA