Since the UN declared June 3rd World Bicycle Day in 2018, the humble two-wheeler has pedalled its way to the forefront of urban transformation strategies worldwide.
In cities choking on traffic and pollution, bicycles offer a breath of fresh air—literally. Beyond slashing carbon emissions, cycling injects physical activity into our increasingly sedentary lives, combating chronic disease while unclogging streets. Well-designed bike networks don't just move people; they democratise mobility, weaving more connected, equitable communities across urban landscapes.
The pandemic dramatically shifted our relationship with urban spaces, forcing cities to reimagine transportation overnight. This global reset sparked a cycling renaissance, with two wheels emerging as the ultimate symbol of resilient, healthy, and economical urban mobility. Cities that expanded cycling infrastructure during lockdowns discovered benefits that transcended the crisis itself.
As we celebrate World Bicycle Day 2025, the bicycle stands as more than just transportation—it represents a powerful catalyst for urban transformation. Every dollar invested in cycling infrastructure delivers outsized returns: healthier citizens, cleaner air, livelier streets, and more vibrant local economies. The cities leading tomorrow's sustainability revolution aren't just accommodating cyclists—they're championing them as the driving force behind more liveable, resilient, and human-centered urban futures.
Five cycling initiatives form city governments hosted on the use platform:
ENCICLA - sustainable mobility program
EnCicla is a public bicycle system providing sustainable mobility to the residents of the Valley of Aburrá.
Quinto Centenario Cycle Avenue
The 25km long 'Quinto Centenario' project is Bogota’s first resilient cycle highway, connecting citizens from low, middle, and high-income neighbourhoods with jobs, schools and recreational opportunities.
The City of Copenhagen's Bicycle Strategy
Santa Ana en Cleta is a project dedicated to transforming the mobility and road culture of the city’s 57,000 citizens by promoting gender equality and sustainable mobility.
To access more case studies on cycling initiatives and other sustainable mobility transport systems you can search the use platform database by topic: mobility and transport and visit the use.topic page on sustainable mobility.