Residents of Georgetown Village Condominiums in North Bethesda look forward to World Bicycle Day June 3 but not just because they enjoy cycling. They feel very proud the man who convinced the United Nations to designate the special day an international one lives in their neighborhood.
Leszek Sibilski, a professor at Montgomery College, was born in Poland. He organized a campaign with his students to make World Bicycle Day an international event.
Sibilski told MCM he has been cycling “since I was basically born.” He rode in the 1980 Olympics for his native Poland. At the height of his career, he was ranked sixth in the world and second in Europe. He cycled as a member of the Polish national cycling team for 10 years.
He has lived in North Bethesda about 25 years.
The goal of the day, which started in 2018, is to recognize the role bicycles play in promoting access to education, healthcare and economic growth. Bicycling also rates as environmentally clean and affordable.
In preparation for June 3, Georgetown Village Condominium cyclers placed outdoor decals with the World Bicycle Day logo on three sidewalks, including the bus stop on Commonwealth Drive near Nicholson Lane, the corner of Commonwealth Drive and Dorchester Way and the entrance gate at Edson Lane in North Bethesda.
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