From 16 to 22 September Minsk joined the European Mobility Week for the fourth time. Traditionally, the campaign culminated in the Car-Free Day, which is celebrated around the world on 22 September.
This year a big city holiday was organized for Minsk residents on Oktyabrskaya Street. The street itself that day was closed to cars, it was possible to move along it only on foot and by means of personal mobility: bicycles, scooters, mono-wheels, gyro scooters and so on.
All activity zones were dedicated to environmentally friendly lifestyles. There was a large children's zone at the festival, where young Minskers could watch the "Traffic Light Show", take part in a master class on coffee painting, contribute to the coloring collage "Healthy City - Healthy People" or find other cognitive entertainment to their liking.
The educational and entertainment area of the Minsk Cycling Society was also exhibited at the festival. The most popular were the dexterous cycling competition, which allowed not only to test their skills, but also to keep warm, and a quiz on the rules of the road for cyclists.
In addition, there was an on-site bicycle repair shop, skateboard and balanceboard rental, a test drive of the Kolobike bicycle and scooter sharing. An extensive program unfolded on the main stage as well. There you could watch the performances of musicians, dance and theatrical performances, and a fashionable eco-show. The headliner of the concert, which energized the cyclists, was the band: B: N :.
The most striking component of the Day without a car in all its sense was the race of glowing bicycles "Cyclist give fire!" It started at 21.00. Cyclists in the company of mono-wheeled vehicles and scooters drove through the city center, including along the main avenue to Yakub Kolas Square.
Despite the fact that it rained during the race, this did not spoil the mood not for the cyclists themselves, nor for the spectators who gathered along the road along the entire route. And this column was hard to miss!
In addition to the obligatory lanterns, many have adorned their bikes with iridescent lights. There was even a competition for the brightest bike among the participants. By the way, check-in is not only a way to unite cyclists and arrange a colorful holiday for the townspeople. It is also an opportunity to draw attention to an important topic.
the need to use flashlights when cycling in the dark: front - with white light, rear - with red.
In total, about 200 people took part in the race. As they said about themselves: wet, but very happy!
All ENM events in Minsk are held with the participation of the Minsk City Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. Also one of the organizers is the Minsk Cycling Society within the framework of the project "Urban Cycling in Belarus", funded by the European Union, implemented by the Center for Environmental Solutions and the public association "Minsk Cycling Society" with the co-financing of the GEF Small Grants Program "Development of Cycling in the Regions of Belarus" implemented by the public association "Minsk Cycling Society".
Text: Daria Kosko
Photo: Yuri Melnik, Milana Miller
