AKIPRESS.COM - President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov attended Government session to discuss preparations for major sports events Amul-Hazar 2018 international motor rally, the 2018 World Weightlifting Championship and the World Bicycle Day to be held in Turkmenistan on June 3.

During the meeting, the President signed the Decree on the celebration of the World Bicycle Day. On June 3, Ashgabat will observe car free day.

Minister of Internal Affairs I.Mulikov and Ashgabat mayor Sh. Durdylyev were instructed to limit the traffic movement in the Turkmen capital on June 3 starting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Public transport will be available on that day.

He also ordered the relevant officials to encourage people to participate in bike racing and to modernize the existing infrastructure for bike riders.

The World Bicycle Day is on 3 June. It was approved on 12 April 2018 as an official United Nations day of awareness about the multiple societal benefits of using the bicycle for transport and leisure. After the announcement was made, European Cyclists' Federation Secretary General Bernhard Ensink stated, "Cycling is a source for social, economic and environmental benefits – and it is bringing people together. WCA and ECF are extremely happy with this declaration. This UN declaration is an acknowledgement of the contribution of cycling to the Sustainable Development Goals".