06/03/2026
🚴♀️ 3 June marks World Bicycle Day – a global celebration of cycling as a healthy, sustainable, and accessible means of transport.
💪 This year, we cycled across Ottawa under the theme “Ride Together, Grow Stronger”.
👩🎓 We were delighted to welcome students from the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est joining us in recognition of International Children's Day, celebrated on 1 June as we combined this two UN events. Youths had the opportunity to take part in a raffle and win wonderful prizes generously provided by the embassies of United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Austria and Spain.
🇵🇱 World Bicycle Day is celebrated annually thanks to the efforts of Professor Leszek Sibilski, a Polish-American sociologist and activist whose initiative led to its official recognition by the United Nations in 2018.
With Poland being one of the signatory countries of the UNESCO initiative ,,Bicycle for All: Bicycle for Sustainable and Healthy Lifestyles” we were pleased to be joined by representatives of the other signatory countries: Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Austria.
📃 We were honoured to receive a proclamation handed to Ambassador Witold Dzielski by the Deputy Mayor of the City of Ottawa, Jeff Leiper and Councillor Teresa Kavanagh, declaring 3 June 2026 as World Bicycle Day in Ottawa. Notably, Canada Capital city was the first one in the world to officially recognise World Bicycle Day.
🌳 Our sincere appreciation goes to the National Capital Commission, represented by CEO Tobi Nussbaum, for its stewardship of the region’s extensive network of pathways, parks, and green spaces, which make events such as this possible.
🤝 We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of this year’s partners and supporters for their commitment to promoting cycling, active transportation, and community engagement. Special thanks to the European Union National Institutes for Culture and Spain, which currently holds the chairmanship of EUNIC in Ottawa.
🚲 We would also like to recognise Vélo Canada Bikes and Bike Ottawa, whose advocacy and educational initiatives continue to advance cycling and active transportation across our communities.
🌟 Thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to seeing you on Ottawa’s roads, pathways, and trails!
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Polacy światu وزارة الخارجية - الإمارات العربية المتحدة MoFA UAE Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est