The action “To work – by bicycle!” was held in Minsk on September 21

The action “To work – by bicycle!” was held on the morning of September 21. Environmentalists were on duty on the streets of the capital to present fruits and souvenirs to citizens who abandoned cars in favor of environmentally friendly transport, the correspondent of the Minsk-Novosti agency reports.

From early morning, representatives of the Minsk City Committee of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection on the streets of the capital treated with fruits and gave branded diaries with pens to those citizens who this morning preferred to move around the city on ecological transport: bicycle, scooter, monowheel.

As explained by Elena Potapovich, chief specialist of the waste management department of the Minsk City Committee of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, the action “To work – by bicycle!” is aimed at drawing attention to the problem of air pollution and popularizing alternative modes of transport.

- According to statistics in Minsk, vehicles with internal combustion engines account for about 85% of all emissions into the atmosphere. For comparison: the share of industrial enterprises is 15%, the expert comments.

This action is not the first year.

- Today it rains in the morning, so there are many times less people on bicycles and scooters than in years when the weather was sunny, Potapovich said. And those who go, rarely stop to get “prizes”: rush to work, school, on business.

Schoolboy Gleb, who was rushing to class with his friend, was happy to share his emotions:

- I didn't know anything about this action. But it's the right thing to do: your legs work out when you ride a bike. It is a pleasure to receive such gifts! I'll eat some fruit at recess. It was my friend Artem who insisted that we go to the gym on bicycles. I thought the rain wouldn't work.

“I went last year, also participated,” said 17-year-old Alexei with a smile, hiding fruit and office in a backpack. I think we need this to remind everyone about the environment.

The end of the campaign will be the international “Day without a car”: on September 22, a large-scale bike ride will be held with the participation of the leadership of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Minsk City Executive Committee, representatives of enterprises and the public, which will end with the solemn laying of flowers at the “Minsk – Hero City” stele. On September 22, all motorists will be able to use public transport for free. To do this, it will be enough to present a driver's license and a technical passport for the car to the controllers.

Photo by Diana Shabala