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30 World Leaders Who Ride Bicycles. See The Nigerian Among Them (PHOTOS)
World Leaders Who Ride Bicycles
Leaders of nations are known for very lavish motorcades.
Even in extremely poor African nations, the President’s convoy is usually quite elaborate.
No matter how short the trip is, there is a motorcade to transport the leader’s spouse, members of the press, security, and VIP guests, etc. While the President travels in armoured vehicles, typically specially configured limousines.
However, some notable world leaders have shocked us by travelling in an unusual mode of commute: the bicycle!
Some of these cycling Politicians cite reasons such as reducing carbon emissions that cause global warming, for their decision to use bicycles.
Indeed, bicycles do not require fuel in the same sense of cars and buses. Therefore, cycling does not release any more carbon emissions.
Motorize transport accounts for nearly 25% of global carbon emissions, with 80% of people in cities choosing high-emissions-producing motor vehicles for their private transport trips.
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See Also: 14 Essential Safety Tips For Cyclists
UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Meanwhile, some other leaders cite health reasons for their choice of cycling.
Truly, cycling comes with health benefits. For instance, it improves cardiovascular and aerobic fitness, lowers blood pressure, boosts energy, builds muscle, and improves coordination.
Whatever the reason, it is always an awe-inspiring sight to see a politician commute using one of the most modest means of transport.
Below are some photos of some world leaders who have been spotted riding bicycles.
The current Prime Minister of Netherlands Mark Rutte
Former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, with then Major of London (now Prime Minister) Boris Johnson.
Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde
Matteo Renzi, former Italian Prime Minister (2014 -2016)
Former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy (2007 until 15 May 2012).
Prince Charles
Former UK’s Prime Minister, David Cameron (2010 – 2016)
Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías was Venezuelan President from 1999 until his death in 2013
Former President of the United State, Jimmy Carter is a renowned cycling enthusiast.
The Prime Minister of the United Kindom, Boris Johnson.
Former US President George Bush
Former Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott (2013 to 2015)
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.
The Dutch monarch Queen Maxima and King Willem Alexander.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen enjoy a bike ride.
Former US President, George Bush
Egypt’s current President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (3rd right, in white)
Bill and Hilary Clinton
The current president of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte gifted a bicycle to Prime Prime Minister Narendra Modi
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Tony Blair and former Spanish prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar (June 1997)
Barack Obama and his daughter Malia
Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations (2007 – 2016)
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and former Prime Minister (now Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia) Dmitry Medvedev.
Former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair (1997 – 2007)
Two-time Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo captured here taking a bike ride in the early ’80s.
Current President of the United State, Donald Trump, admires a bicycle.
