"Clean air in Tirana: more walking, bicycles and urban transport".
This was the message conveyed today on the International Day "Pedal to Work" during the activity organized by "Together for Life".”.
The purpose of this activity was to raise awareness of citizens about the use of alternative means, such as walking, bicycles and urban transport, as one of the contributing factors in preserving the environment and improving air quality.
The director of "Together for Life", Eglantina Bardhi during her greeting speech, thanked the participants, emphasizing that all of us must give our contribution.
"Air is everyone's 'property', no one is an exception. "We all need to contribute to keeping it cleaner, using the bike as much as possible and leaving the car at home."
"Tirana is a city with 300 sunny days, with a flat relief and we have no reason not to use the bicycle.Pollution in Tirana has decreased by 15%. "It is still far from EU standards, but imagine how far it can go if the number of cyclists and citizens using public transport continues to grow."
This is what the Mayor of Tirana, Mr. Erion Veliaj during his greeting speech at the event organized by Together for Life "Bicycle march for a cleaner environment".
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of Sweden, Mr. Johan Ndisi present at this activity emphasized the benefits of cycling.
"All of us here today have one thing in common: the love of bicycles as means of transportation. Throughout my journey as ambassador here in Albania, I have tried to visit many areas of the city by bicycle. The benefits of using a bicycle can be said to be many: we can have a clean environment, healthy life. In a city with heavy traffic, bicycles can be considered a "symbol of freedom". The more he uses the bicycle, the more courage he gives to the Municipality to build more bicycle lanes, thus making cycling in Tirana easy and safe ”.
Also present at the event was the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Albania, Mrs. Devi van de Weered, who stressed that she has chosen to use the bike to be fit and healthy.
"The Dutch experts we brought to Albania have seen the climate in this country and have told us that in Albania the early spirit of a bicycle tradition is felt, not only in Tirana but also in the districts, so it is everyone's duty to serve as ambassador for promote cycling which not only reduces pollution but also ensures health. "I can mention from my experience that when I was in the Netherlands, I always took the children to kindergarten by bicycle, making them feel free and safe."
Eduard Cani, representative of the Regional Environmental Center REC, said that the citizens of Tirana have the chance and the will to become friendly with the bicycle, as one of the healthiest means of travel.
"I believe that a city has done a lot for its citizens, when its citizens identify themselves with the city. So the citizens of Albania can proudly identify with their city. "They have the right awareness to make this city pedal",continued Cani.
Also present at the event were the students of the Sami Frashëri school, Aleks Buda and the college "Turgut Ozal", who pedaled by raising awareness on the International Day "Pedal for Work".
The event was made possible by the #ACHIEVE program, implemented by the Regional Environmental Center (REC) Albania with the financial support of the European Union in Albania.
