Amid the revving engines of mean machines and loud horns of heavy vehicles, they pedalled their way through the city roads to discover the quaint charm of bicycling.
A group of about 69 cycling enthusiasts on Sunday joined cyclists over a hundred Indian cities as part of the campaign, ‘I ride with India’, to promote cycling. The cyclists started the ride at 6.30 a.m. from the Kaloor international stadium premises and pedalled through the city roads before concluding the trip at Thoppumpady, about one hour and fifteen minutes later.
“It’s a good thing that biking is being gradually taken up by teenagers and adults. Cycling is indeed becoming a trend here over the past two years,” said Sanjay B. Asher of Bornwanderers cycle club, which coordinated the programme.
Elated that their ride inspired several people to take up cycling, Sanjay added, “People have now begun realising that cycling is the best form of physical fitness and produces zero emission.”
The group now regularly organises cycle rallies in Kochi, the last one held on August 23 as part of an organ donation campaign. Given the rising women participation in the cycling sport, it now plans to hold a rally for women cyclists in the city.
