5th June, World Environmental Day celebrated

A day when cars are replaced by bikes

The World Environmental Day, 5th June, was traditionally celebrated with the show “Let’s be European, let’s ride bikes”. Hundreds of citizens of Skopje, young and old, on foot and by bike, pushbike or roller skates, went out to walk and to have fun in the City Park. The Minister of environment, Zoran Sapurik, riding a bike, sent the message for bigger care for the environment, nature, natural resources and living world, pointing out that we celebrate this day as a reminder that every person should give his contribution for healthier environment.

“The day for protection and improvement of nature has been celebrated since 1972 when as such was determined by the UN organization. This year we are also trying, everybody in his own manner, to contribute in maintaining the environment”, pointed out Sapurik.

Within the celebration of the Day of the environment the civil organization Proaktiva to all present in the City park distributed cycle maps of the city, T-shirts and stickers in order to make this alternative way of transport, which is very popular in European countries, more popular, and at the same time it doesn’t pollute the environment.

“According to the results from the survey of Proaktiva, 78 percent of Skopje citizens don’t ride bikes, which is a very small percentage compared to some Western European countries such as Holland, Denmark or others where more than 30 percent mainly ride bikes. The results from the survey show that the population will be more interested in riding a bike if the cycle lanes are marked”, says Metodi Panov from Proaktiva. The company Vucko had its stall on which there was an open workshop for the easiest maintenance and removal of faults with the bikes, where a large number of citizens mended their transport means with the help of expert advice. The cycle unit of the police also participated at the show and provided the citizens with advice for safe ride.

At the stage in the park there was also an Ecological festival organized by the Youth forum for cooperation. The children were dressed as flowers, suns, clouds, seas, butterflies and rabbits and carried banners with ecological messages. At the eco-festival they also read the speech of the general secretary of the UN organization, Kofi Anan, dedicated to the World day of environment.

S.N.