On the morning of Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the Swiss Embassy joined fellow diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C. for the World Bicycle Day Embassies Ride, a 6-mile journey through the heart of the U.S. capital, from the World Resources Institute on G Street NE to the iconic Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on Independence Avenue.

Organized by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, the event brought together embassy representatives from across the diplomatic community for a casual, convivial ride through the city’s streets. For the Swiss delegation, it was a natural fit: cycling is woven into everyday life back home. In 2021, 61% of all Swiss households owned at least one bicycle, and around 700,000 bicycle trips are made across the country every single day.

We therefore decided to let our bikes do the talking, adorning them with a giant wheel of cheese and a classic pocketknife, proudly mounted up front. It may not have made us faster, but it certainly made us more Swiss.

We extend our warmest thanks to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and to all the embassies who made this morning such a memorable one. Events like this remind us that diplomacy need not always take place behind closed doors. Sometimes the best conversations happen in the open air, at cycling pace.

As Switzerland continues to champion green urban mobility at home and abroad, we encourage everyone – in Washington and beyond – to consider the bicycle not just as a means of transport, but as a statement of values. Ride more, drive less, and help keep our cities green.

Happy World Bicycle Day!