Campaign launched for the bicycle to win Nobel Peace Prize

A campaign has been launched to nominate the bicycle for the Nobel Peace Prize 2016.

The ' Bike The Nobel'  initiative comes from a drive-time show, Caterpillar, broadcast on Italian state-owned radio station, Rai Radio 2.

It is gathering signatures for a petition that will be presented to the Norwegian Nobel Committee when it meets in Oslo next February.

The petition will be delivered by a “pedal relay” which the show, presented by Massimo Cirri and Sara Zambotti, is organising.

Since it was established in 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has only ever been awarded to physical persons, or to organisations.

But Caterpillar’s hosts, who note that Alfred Nobel himself used to travel to see his lawyer by bike, say there is a strong case for considering the bicycle as an instrument of peace for the reasons below. They say:

The bicycle is the the most democratic means of transport available to humanity

It allows everyone to get around, rich and poor. It reduces social differences.

The bicycle doesn’t cause wars

It reduces the need for oil and conflicts are often fought over oil.

The bicycle changes the model of development

Each kilometre pedalled generates a benefit to society of 0.16 of a euro, while each kilometre travelled in a car causes a cost of 0.10 of a euro (source:  Copenhagen Bicycle Account).

The bicycle causes fewer road traffic casualties

More than a million people worldwide die each year in road traffic incidents caused by motorised traffic. Bicycles rarely kill.

The bicycle does not pollute

It saves people from the risk of diseases and health systems from the costs of care, and helps people stay healthy.

The bicycle has been an instrument for liberation and resistance in many countries

In Italy, during the Second World War, it was the means of  transport favoured by partisan couriers. [Cycling great] Gino Bartali transported counterfeit documents on his bike which saved the lives of 800 Jews persecuted by the Nazis and Fascists.

The bicycle is an instrument of growth in childhood

It makes children autonomous and independent.

The bicycle reduces distances between people

Those who travel by bike are welcomed favourably everywhere; the bicycle is a mode of transport which communicates respect and brings people and cultures together.

The online petition, which has text in Italian and English, can be found here.

With thanks to the blog Two Wheels Better for alerting us to the programme’s initiative.