For the third year in a row, the Lebanese NGO Social Way Association has organized a bicycle ride, Bike Tripoli 4, in cooperation with the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Beirut, Bike Lebanon, Beirut by Bike, and the northern coastal cities of Tripoli and Al-Mina municipalities. The theme for the sporting event was “Empowering women in decision making positions.”
More than 1,500 cyclists rode in the ride on 7 May. It attracted a large crowd of politicians, social and environmental activists, and media representatives. Lebanese explorer and ambassador of Bike Tripoli, Maxime Chaya, participated along with representatives of UN agencies and other diplomatic missions working in Lebanon.
In addition to the ride, shows and musical performances were held throughout the day.
“We have been organizing Bike Tripoli for three years now with Social Way Association. Our partnership is based on common goals that both the Centre and the Association believe in, including preserving clean environment, encouraging the use of renewable energy and securing traffic safety, among other goals,” said UNIC Beirut Acting Director Margo Helou.
She added that the UN considers sport an important enabler of sustainable development and an element in establishing peace among parties through respect for others and tolerance.
UNIC Beirut’s media support for this event focused, as in previous years, on promoting the Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action).