City leads the way in promoting cycles

The young and old in Chandigarh have discovered a passion for cycling. Cyclothon — an event organised to commemorate the World Tourism Day — attracted a large number of people from all walks of life.

The event hosted under the aegis of the Cycling Federation of India aimed to promote cycling for greener, cleaner urban spaces. This also means a smooth ride to good health.

Pankaj Munjal, MD, Hero Cycles — the company which promoted the event — believes that the common man’s mode of transportation is likely to become a necessity in wake of the squeezing urban areas and growing health hazards. The domestic cycle market is growing at about 18 per cent . The growth of cycle users abroad is, however, even more rapid. India and China are the two biggest manufacturers of cycles in the world. But, bicycles manufactured by these countries command a four times larger market in the US, Europe and Japan over their sales in the domestic market.

The administration in Chandigarh is also attempting to promote “Bike Tourism.” Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) — a government agency — encourages tourists to discover the city on bicycles.

CITCO rents all- terrain gear bicycles at Rs 100 a day at Sukhna Lake and the Tourist Information Centre in Sector 17. It helps the tourists explore the city and its green suburbs on an eco- friendly mode of transportation.

A guide map for the City Beautiful comes free along with every bicycle rented by the tourists.