“No comparison to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.” – John F.
Kennedy.
This World Bicycle Day (being observed
today), Goa is celebrating the sustainable, affordable and eco-friendly means
of transport that also keeps you fit.
World Bicycle Day also gives our Goan
cyclists their time to shine! Many cyclists were keen to celebrate the one day
for their favourite sport like Atharv Sawant, student and triathlete. “I love
cycling because I’ve been doing it since I was a kid, just a bond you can
say,” Sawant said
Micha Fernandes, also a cyclist for Probyk
and mechanical engineering student, sharing her thoughts said, “I’m glad
that so many people in Goa have taken up cycling, especially my generation
where spending hours on our phones can easily occupy our free time.” For her,
cycling not just keeps her physically fit, but also helps her in attaining
clarity of mind.
“I’ve probably travelled around Goa
more on the cycle rather than automobiles,” Fernandes added.
Another cyclist, pursuing his PhD at NIT
Goa, Achintya Kambli, admitted that there aren’t plenty of people who commute
with cycles but plenty who take it up as a hobby or sport.
“It’s a great activity to bring people
closer and for a healthier cause. I’ve seen many who’ve benefited immensely
from the sport. Cycling happens to be a non-impact sport, which strengthens the
body and also reduces expenditure on fuel incurred on travel in a car or
two-wheeler,” Kambli said.
Ajay Dongre, President of a Ponda based cycling club SLOPES N
BENDS and Physics and Mathematics faculty at GVM’s SNJA Higher Secondary
School, Pondathrew some light on the biggest benefit of cycling, which is
mental health relief.
“Research has shown that cycling is a big stress buster and
helps reduce anxiety. I have personally experienced this and I am sure many
cyclists will vouch for this benefit of cycling,” Dongre said.
Cyclists form a special relation with their bicycle, it’s almost
like a companion in excursions. Around 10 minutes into cycling and somehow the
worries and anxieties leave the cyclist.
“Cycling being cardio vascular and outdoor activity,
triggers the release of ‘happiness’ hormones like serotonin and dopamine in the
body,” Dongre informed.
Militia Lopes of Panaji Cycling Club (PCC) and triathlete,
emphasized on the health benefits saying, “Cycling is the best way to lose
weight that one gains due to sedentary lifestyle. This even more relevant now
after having gained kilos during the COVID-lockdown. With the increase in fuel
price, it would be better to travel to work cycling. But increase in vehicular
traffic traffic has made it relatively unsafe to cycle during peak hours for
going to work,” Lopes said.
She proposed that the State Government should make a separate
lane for cyclists.
Agreeing with her, Freddie Colaco, BRM cyclist and Event
Organising Secretary of PCC informed, “We have been pressing very hard with CCP
and the PWD to provide safer streets or paths for cycling and other
infrastructure which will further enhance the usage of bicycles in the city and
save our environment from disaster for our next generation.”
He further added, ”Cycling reduces air pollution since it does
not require fossil fuels, but uses one’s energy and in turn burns our extra
calories. It improves our heart rate and keeps our fitness levels high. Cycling
also helps in controlling noise pollution which is a major hazard created by
fuel consuming vehicles on the road.”
It is apparent that cycling has become a trend in Goa and not
only for its sustainability but its numerous benefits. As more and more Goans
begin their cycling journey, the state looks to be cleaner, greener and
healthier and with more hope that our state can improve to the best.
Meanwhile, a cyclothon has been organised by Panjim Smart City
Development in association with Corporation of City of Panjim (CCP) along with
many more programmes and rallies to mark the World Bicycle Day.
The event will be also used to discourage use of plastics below 100
microns.
Speaking to media persons, CCP Commissioner, Agnelo AJ Fernandez
said, “We are discouraging the use of any plastics because besides being a
cycling event, we want to spread the social message to save the environment.”
The CCP commissioner also said that plastic in all forms will be
banned from the cyclothon event.
CCP
intends to launch a new campaign called #amkanakaplastic and #makanakaplastic
in the Panaji Municipal Market on the occasion on World Environment Day which
aims to free Goa’s markets of plastic bags and replace them with #makanaka
upcycled cloth carry bagshand made by local women coming from minority groups.
