{"id":199569,"date":"2019-05-28T16:31:29","date_gmt":"2019-05-28T20:31:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=199569"},"modified":"2019-05-28T16:31:29","modified_gmt":"2019-05-28T20:31:29","slug":"bicycling-in-havana-against-climate-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/cuba\/bicycling-in-havana-against-climate-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Bicycling in Havana against climate change"},"content":{"rendered":"

The bicycle is still opening its way in Cuba. Pedaling against climate change, an event organized by the delegation of the European Union and that gathered about 400 people who toured the oldest part of the capital, took place this Sunday, May 26 in Old Havana. The starting point and closing point was the Plaza de Armas.<\/span><\/p>\n

“This bicycling event, public and aimed especially for young people and children, aims to raise awareness on the fight against climate change. It is part of the Green Diplomacy Week promoted by the European Union around the world, and World Environment Day, which is celebrated around the world every June 5. It is also part of the activities for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Havana,” according to <\/span>a statement <\/span><\/a>from the organizers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pedaling against climate change. Photo: N\u00e9stor Mart\u00ed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“It is the largest activity of this type that has happened here, with great participation by children and families who came to enjoy themselves in an affable environment,” Daniel Castellanos, specialist in urban mobility of the Territorial Planning and Management Group of the Office of the City Historian, <\/span>said to IPS<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

“And we achieved this participation thanks to…previous actions of the bicycling groups and because the concern for the environment and climate change is generating more and more debate and reflection,” added the main creator of <\/span>Ha\u2019Bici<\/span><\/a>, the first project of public bicycles in Cuba, which has been functioning since November 24, 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The bicycle as a means of transportation significantly reduces the undesirable effects of motorized traffic: namely, noise, pollution, road insecurity…. Cuba, moreover, has a deficient automotive park which, since it\u2019s very old in many cases, is not environment friendly, and can also represent a danger to life. On the island, traffic accidents are the fifth cause of death; and the first in children and young people from 15 to 29 years of age.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pedaling against climate change was organized by the delegation of the European Union in Cuba and the Office of the City Historian, with the collaboration of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Provincial Department of Transportation and the capital\u2019s local authorities; as well as the Bicicletear La Habana group, Ha’Bici, Rutabikes and Ferlan’s, who provided some 70 bicycles.<\/span><\/p>\n