Over 200 cyclists registered for the annual Orange Bike Ride 2021 jointly organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Rota to promote cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation in Malta.
After a one year hiatus due to COVID-19, last Sunday saw the third edition of the Orange Bike Ride, an annual event aimed at promoting using the bicycle as a sustainable transportation alternative for the car.
Ambassador Frank Keurhorst addressed the participants and explained that the Netherlands may be known for its cycling culture now, but that this was a hard-won battle between cars and protestors in the 1970s, compounded by safety and environmental aspects, and the oil crisis. “If we can do it in the Netherlands, it can be done anywhere” Ambassador Keurhorst proclaimed referring to the move from being a car-oriented society to a bicycle oriented one. Rota president Dr. Michelle Attard Tonna emphasised the importance of the transition from car to bicycle as a lifestyle choice and addressed the participants in Dutch, Maltese, and English.
Over 200 cyclists rode from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ta’Xbiex to Valletta’s Laparelli Gardens, where they could enjoy the beautiful pictures which are part of the special exhibition called People, Power: Documenting Protests Since 1957 during a short break. The cyclists, all wearing bright orange T-shirts, were quite the sight as they cycled around the Valletta waterfront and returned to the Embassy to conclude this 14 km ride.
Orange Bike Day would not have been possible without the generous contributions of our sponsors, BeGreen, Amstel Beer and Tony’s Chocolonely. A big thank you also goes out to our other suppliers who made this event a great success.
Most of all, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Rota want to thank all the participants to Orange Bike Ride 2021 for making this edition the success we all hoped it would be. See you next year!
