Over 350 Vitebsk residents took part in a cyclocross as part of European Mobility Week
Parents with children, representatives of work collectives, educational institutions, the administration of the Pervomaysky district of Vitebsk, and public organizations rode through the city streets, choosing bicycles as an alternative to cars. As emphasized by Marina Novitskaya, Deputy Head of the Administration of the Pervomaysky District of Vitebsk, the cross was held not for competitive purposes, but to promote a healthy lifestyle.
One of the conditions for participation in the cycling event was compliance with the Traffic Rules. This teaches participants to move on the road with maximum attention to avoid traffic accidents. At the finish line of the five-kilometer distance, participants were awarded commemorative prizes and leaflets calling to take care of their native city and country, and to keep the streets clean.
A number of other events were also organized. A bicycle parking facility was opened on the premises of Gymnasium No. 7. Sports competitions and quests were held in schools, secondary vocational and higher educational institutions of Vitebsk, and in parks of culture and recreation. For example, participants of the "Choose and Move" event, held at Secondary School No. 6, competed in skillful bicycle handling and rollerblading races.
Marina Novitskaya noted that cycling has become more active in the regional center, and when building new residential areas, special markings are provided on sidewalks – for pedestrians and for those who enjoy riding two-wheeled transport. She also said that thanks to this initiative, some enterprise managers in the Pervomaisky district of Vitebsk, albeit for a few days, swapped their cars for bicycles, proving by their own example: exercising in the fresh air is truly great!
Since 2002, various events have been held within the framework of European Mobility Week, popularizing ecological types of transport, a healthy lifestyle, new technologies for improving urban spaces, including the development of infrastructure for cycling enthusiasts.
Vitebsk region actively participated in European Mobility Week and the international campaign "Car-Free Day," held from September 16 to 22. As reported by Tatyana Yasiulina, a referent of the regional committee for natural resources and environmental protection, thematic events took place in almost all regions of Vitebsk region. On the eve, territorial bodies of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection distributed informational leaflets at motor transport enterprises, gas stations, service stations, in places of mass recreation, shopping centers, and at bus stops. In educational institutions and work collectives, information hours and discussions were held on "The Negative Impact of Transport on the Environment," "Eco-friendly Car – What Is It?". For schoolchildren and youth, contests of essays, sidewalk drawings, computer graphics, and block books on "Transport of the Future" were organized.