World Cycling Alliance (WCA) and Hyderabad Bicycling Club (HBC), hosted the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Cyclothon, to commemorate the 74th Republic Day of India. Chief Guest Mr. G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Guest of Honor Sir Graham Watson, President, World Cycling Alliance, Brussels and a Former European Parliament Member for 20 years and Chairman of European Parliament’s Committee on Home Affairs and Justice; flagged off the Cyclothon. Mr. D V Manohar, Chairman, of Hyderabad Bicycling Club and First Vice President, of World Cycling Alliance, Brussels; graced the occasion.
The Cyclothon was hosted jointly by the Government of India, WCA, HBC, SmartBike, SCSC, CII YI, and the All India Bicycling Federation. The categories in which the race was held for both owned and rented bicycles included 5KM Joy Ride 10 KM Mass Ride; 25km Foundation Ride; 50km Endurance Ride and 100km Century Ride.
Mr. G Kamala Vardhana Rao, “the world is looking at India, G20 is happening here, and it is for us to show our concern for the environment and pollution.
Cycling plays a vital role in preventing air pollution. Right from a young age we should encourage kids to use bicycles, if the school is not far, they should be made to ride a cycle, cycling is the best physical exercise. Climatic changes are leading to floods, heavy rains, drought, etc. Carbon emissions are only rising, be it in Delhi, Bangalore, and other cities. This year we are celebrating the International Year of Millets and request everyone to adopt a millet diet for being healthy.
Many cyclists from India have been making a mark at the Commonwealth Games and Olympics. You need to show your talent not just to win medals but to lead a healthy life. As part of ‘Khelo India’ we have been promoting sports in a big way and hope to see many from here aspiring for medals at the national and international level.”
Sir Graham Watson said, “I bring the greeting of cyclists from Europe, America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Your campaign to promote cycling is our campaign and it is the endeavor of all of us to get more and more people on bicycles. I am delighted that India is surely and strongly transiting towards cycling thanks to people like Manohar and others and I want all of you to spread the word and make more adopt cycling.
India’s youthful population faces dual challenges of climate change and modern lifestyle ailments like obesity and diabetes. The panacea for both these and several other typical modern-day challenges is getting people onto bicycles for short-distance and leisure travel. I am thoroughly impressed with the initiatives of the All India Bicycling Federation and Hyderabad Bicycling Club to popularise bicycling. India is already setting an example for other countries in Asia.”
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Mr D V Manohar, the only Indian on the Board of World Cycling Alliance and its First Vice President said “HBC started a cycling revolution a decade ago and the tradition continues with more and more adopting cycling as a healthy lifestyle. Cycling has immense significance in the current scenario with the weather becoming freaky because of the unabated usage of fossil fuels in our mobility. There is an urgent and imperative need to promote smart mobility and the best option is cycling.
Mr. Manohar announced about HBC won the tender for operating and maintaining Pala Pitta Cycling Park at Kothaguda for three years starting from 1st April 2023. HBC will be putting in all our efforts to give a great cycling experience to Hyderabad Citizens at Pala Pitta Cycling Park, he added.
About World Cycling Alliance (WCA)
The world’s largest network of cycling advocacy groups, representing cycling on the world stage.
