Thore Vestby, who has just confirmed as a speaker for the Basel OSCE Forum on July 4-5, is one of the four cyclists on the World Bike Ride for Peace, which began in Manchester (UK) on March 15 and is going through Europe, Asia and North America.
The bike ride, an initiative to promote a nuclear weapon-free world, is led by cyclist Tore Naerland from Norway. Tore is vision impaired (partially blind) and thus rides a tandem bike with Frank Tomlinson – who has unimpaired sight.
Mr Vestby, Mayor of Frogn (Norway) and a first deputy to the Norwegian Parliament, is a leading member of Mayors for Peace and Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament.
Also on the bike ride is Anita Valen, an Olympian cyclist who promotes the involvement of children and disabled persons in sport.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester and other supporting riders at the start of the World Bike Ride for Peace in Manchester, UK - a nuclear-free city
The principal aim of the World Bike Ride for Peace is to highlight the catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons, and thus the imperative to prohibit and eliminate them. Secondary aims are to prevent and reverse climate change, and to promote respect for, and inclusion of, all people regardless of gender or physical abilities.
In 2011 the World Bike Ride for Peace cycled through Kazakhstan – a country devastated by the impact of Soviet nuclear tests with nearly 2 million victims from the resulting radioactive fallout.
This year the World Bike Ride for Peace is concentrating on the Nuclear Weapon States and some of their nuclear allies – going to China, France, Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell-Masgne Bondevik leads the start of the World Bike Ride for Peace
Former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell-Masgne Bondevik joined the World Bike Ride for Peace for its opening ride in Manchester (UK) on March 15.
The World Bike Ride for Peace has also been supported by Edna Solberg (Norwegian Prime Minister), Gordon Brown (former UK Prime Minister) and Bard Vegar Solheil (former Norwegian Minister of the Environment).
For further information contact: Bike for Peace, Tore Nærland: tore.naerland@jkn.no. phone: +47 51487777 / +47 93442279
Basel Peace Office supports the World Peace Bike Ride as part of our Sports and Peace Program. Previous events include:
- Peace run/cycle to the Three Countries Corner for the International Day of Peace for Sport and Development;
- Seminar on Building bridges in conflicts through Sport, featuring Wilson Kipketer, Champion runner. World record holder for the 800 and 1000 meters. Spokesperson for L’organisation pour la Paix par le Sport (Peace and Sport);
- 2-day training workshop for youth on Resolving Conflicts and Creating Peace through Sports and Cooperative Games;
- Basel Run for Peace - running the Basel marathon for the peace and security of a nuclear-weapon-free world.
For more information see Basel Sports and Peace program.
Bike ride to the Peace Plaque at Three Countries Corner, Basel