Pedal power gains steam in the city

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The capital’s cycle enthusiasts are on a roll. The Hercules City Challenge (HCC), a cycling campaign in the city, recently concluded after it covered cities like Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. Early in the morning 130 cyclists started off to cover a distance of 40 km, from Mercedes Chowk in Gurgaon to Lost Lake (off Mangar Trail) and back. Nine of these participants will get to compete with mountain biking riders from around the world in the MTB Himachal 2011, the toughest mountain biking challenge in October end.
City youngsters share how cycling isn’t just a sport but has turned a way of life for them. Prakeet Gupta, a software engineer who started cycling last month, says it’s fun to relive his childhood days. “I took up cycling after many years. I also participated in the cycling event on Environment Day this year. Since then, I regularly cycle to work. It saves time and is pocket-friendly too. Pedalling down early morning really calms my mind. It also satisfies me that I am doing my bit for nature. There should be more clubs in the city to encourage people to opt for cycling.”
Passionate cyclists are now looking forward to India Cyclothon Delhi 2011, another cycling event happening on October 9. With cycling becoming a more specialised sport, Delhi is fast becoming a perfect hub for such events. Many are honing their cycling skills by practicing and joining various clubs.
“It’s like an addiction,” says Rahul Paniker, a banker from Chennai who is getting ready to be a part of the race in Delhi. He adds, “Cycling has became an integral part of my life and my fitness routine. I cover at least 30-40 km everyday. Cycling gives me a sense of freedom. It’s the best me-time as I love singing old Hindi songs and recall old memories while pedalling. With fuel prices soaring every other month, in sometime cycling will become a regular means of commuting for many urban class people.”
Seconds Aditya Shiv Kumar, who works in a law firm. “Cycling is like meditation. I’m a member of two cycling clubs. It’s great to be friends with like-minded people,” he adds.
Another enthusiast Manish Gahlot, who is the founder of a Gurgaon-based cycling club Pedal Yatri, feels that though the cycling craze is growing in the city, Delhi needs to invest more funds to promote it. “Our members go for rides around the city and have encouraged mountain biking in the Delhi NCR Region. We have also travelled to Leh-Ladakh by cycle. I feel Delhi should be made a more cycling-friendly city. We need to have proper cycle tracks, unlike the one at BRT corridors where traffic comes from all sides and is quite prone to accidents. The weather here is not conducive and the surroundings are too polluted for a cycle ride,” adds Manish.