United Nations Reaches Out to the Bike Industry

MUNICH, Germany – The United Nations and ICLEI, an organisation that represents the 500 biggest cities in the world, are inviting the bike industry to take part in the Global Alliance for EcoMobility. Goal of that organisation is to join forces in favour of environmentally sound means of transport such as cycling and walking to reduce the citizen’s dependency on the car.

The Alliance is to promote and advocate EcoMobility as a contribution against global climate change. In a meeting that was initiated by Shimano, the UN and ICLEI enunciated that invitation to the bike industry. The meeting was part of the Velo City Conference that was held in Munich in the second week of June; it was a most appropriate opportunity as lots of city planners from all over the world meet at this bi-annual Conference.

Partnership with bike industry
“This is the time for bikes,” said Rob De Jong (left), Head Urban Environment Unit of the United Nations Environment Programme, “lots of politicians today speak about CO2 reduction and a Low Carbon Society. However, in their views the bicycle is not yet indissolubly connected to that Low Carbon Society. As the United Nations have been setting up partnerships with all kinds of industry sectors since 2002, we are open to do the same with the bike industry. In close co-operation with ICLEI and other partners we will form the Global Alliance for EcoMobility.”

“A plan of action will be drawn up during the oncoming months and potential partners – among those the bike industry - will be addressed”, said Conrad Otto-Zimmermann, Secretary General of ICLEI (representing 20% of the world population with its 500 biggest cities’ membership. Goal is to launch the Global Alliance for EcoMobility at the next UN Climate Conference that will take place in Bali next December.