Bravo, the mascot of the 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade, urged April 21 the use of public transportation as part of Taipei City Government’s Green Friday initiative launched last year to improve the living environment and air quality of the northern Taiwan metropolis.
According to TCG’s Department of Information and Tourism, the agency responsible for organizing Bravo’s schedule, the Formosan black bear mascot will take the Taipei metro every Friday morning until the end of the Universiade, which runs Aug. 19-30 and is the biggest global sporting event ever staged in Taiwan.
In addition, Bravo will hand out cookies and hot coffee during the same period to passers-by at 12 booths set up alongside TCG’s internationally acclaimed YouBike public bicycle rental service. Operated by the local government in conjunction with Taiwan Urban Bicycle Alliance, a nonprofit organization advocating bike culture for the reduction of air pollution, the booths are expected to further popularize cycling with the public.
An official from the department said the fact the Formosan black bear is an endangered endemic species in Taiwan adds gravitas to Bravo’s calls for residents and visitors to pay more attention to the importance of environmental protection. It is expected that Bravo’s public appearances will generate heightened attention in the Universiade, the official added.
Also known as the World University Games, the Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival staged every two years in a different city worldwide. The 29th edition of the games in Taipei involves 7,700-plus student athletes from nearly 150 countries contesting 21 sports at 38 competition venues around northern Taiwan. (CPY-E)