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Explore Solo City On A Climate-Friendly Cycling Tour In 2024

In order to commemorate World Environment Day 2024, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry collaborated with Bike To Work (B2W) Indonesia successfully held the event "Eco-Friendly Cycling 2024" at Taman Monumen 45 Banjarsari, Solo, on Saturday (29/06/2024).

The event, which took place with great enthusiasm, was attended by the Deputy Minister of Environment and Forestry, AlueDohong, high-ranking officials within the Ministry, and Miss Earth Indonesia 2024, Sophie Kirana, who also cycled a distance of 10 KM around the city of Solo. The "Eco-Friendly Cycling 2024" event is expected to inspire many people to take real action in preserving and conserving the environment.

In his opening speech, the Deputy Minister expressed gratitude and pride for the successful organization of the event, which aims to raise awareness among the public about the importance of environmental conservation and reducing air pollution.

Alue appreciated the presence of more than 500 cyclists from various regions in Indonesia, as well as the residents of Solo and its surrounding areas who participated in the event.

"Today, we start by cycling 10 kilometers, a symbol and concrete action in reducing carbon emissions and maintaining air quality. This event also reminds us all of the importance of environmental conservation and reducing air pollution," Alue said.

Solo was deliberately chosen as the location because it is a city that is comfortable to explore by bike. Its relatively compact, flat, and centralized area, along with good vegetation along some of its roads, make it an ideal choice. Additionally, Solo was designated as the most livable city in 2017, 2019, and 2022.

After the cycling activity, the event continued with the planting of pollution control trees, which are expected to have a positive long-term impact on the environment. At the same time, the Deputy Minister also inaugurated the Green Open Space (RTH) Pilot Project for Pollution-Absorbing Parks. This park is expected to function as the city's lungs and serve as tangible evidence of the government's commitment to creating a clean and healthy environment for the community.

"This park will be a place where we can experience the coolness and beauty of nature, while also reminding us of our responsibility to protect the environment," explained Alue.

The event was also combined with an award ceremony for users of the Cycling Saving Carbon (CSC) program, an initiative to encourage people to reduce their carbon footprint by cycling. The award is not only a form of appreciation, but also serves as motivation to continue efforts in preserving the environment.

The Cycling Saving Carbon program provides incentives to daily cyclists. This pilot program has been tested among cycling workers in Jakarta and its surrounding areas. The scheme involves participants recording their daily commute from home to work. The Strava app records the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas reduced.

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Through the trial period from May 19 to June 17, 343 participants successfully prevented or reduced carbon emissions by up to 30 tons. The cyclists completed a total of 6,772 trips, covering a distance of 137,842.16 kilometers over 7,838 hours (equivalent to 326.6 days).

"The initiative to record the amount of carbon saved originated from discussions among cycling workers in a conversation group. It turns out that there was a high level of enthusiasm. There was even a kind of competition to accumulate scores or the amount of potential carbon emissions prevented," said the Chairman of B2W Indonesia, Fahmi Saimima.

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Tag: Cycling Tour Explore Solo City