WATCH: Dutch envoys promote culture of bicycling in Erbil, region

The Dutch Consulate in Erbil organized an event on Tuesday to promote the culture of bicycle riding in Kurdistan's capital city in particular and the region in general.
kurdistan24.net

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Dutch Consulate in Erbil organized an event on Tuesday to promote the culture of bicycle riding in Kurdistan's capital city in particular and the region in general.

Dutch Consul General in Erbil Janet Alberda told Kurdistan 24 that they decided to go ahead with the program for a number of reasons, including the health benefits of cycling.

Jaan Vaan Renselar, Deputy Consul General, stressed the importance of promoting a culture of cycling in the Kurdistan Region. He advocated for bike lanes to be built into roads in the Kurdistan Region, or for special bike paths to allow residents to cycle safely.

“If you bicycle, you don’t use a car. It is good for the environment and also very good for people themselves. It is good for their health,” Renselar told Kurdistan 24.

“When you bicycle, you go at a slower pace. You can observe the city. You enjoy the city, nature, and the park,” he added.

The event took place in Erbil's Sami Abdulrahman park, the largest park in the Kurdistan Region. Alberda said they had decided to hold the event this week since it is the time the Dutch celebrate their national day and the birthday of King William-Alexander.

The diplomats were accompanied by about 15 young people, mostly those who recently supervised similar campaigns in Sulaimani.

The local campaigners said that they have a plan to ask the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to construct bike lanes or bike paths to encourage the healthy activity.

Editing by John J. Catherine