Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday urged young people to make cycling a part of their daily routine, highlighting its benefits for physical and mental health as well as environmental sustainability, as World Bicycle Day is being observed across the country with cyclothons and awareness programmes.
In a post on X, the minister encouraged youth to embrace cycling as a long-term lifestyle choice rather than limiting it to a symbolic one-day activity.
In a video message, Mandaviya said cycling promotes a healthy lifestyle and contributes to overall well-being. He noted that it is also an environmentally sustainable mode of transport that supports fuel conservation, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to reduce fuel consumption.
“Cycling is not just an exercise for a day or a hobby; it reflects a healthy lifestyle. It helps keep us healthy and ensures both our mental and physical well-being. Cycling is also a sustainable option that supports environmental conservation. By adopting cycling as a habit, we can contribute to fuel conservation,” he said.
As part of the nationwide observance, cycling events were organised in several states.
In Gujarat’s Rajkot, the Rajkot Cycle Club (RCC) held a cycling event aimed at promoting fitness, healthy living and environmental awareness. Participants shared personal experiences, with one cyclist describing how cycling helped him cope with depression following the loss of his father, while another highlighted its practical benefits for daily commuting and short-distance travel.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah flagged off a cyclothon to mark the occasion. J&K Sports Minister Satish Sharma emphasised the importance of sports in addressing social challenges, including drug abuse, while Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said such initiatives were helping promote sports culture, youth participation and tourism in the Union Territory.
Meanwhile, cycling advocacy organisation BYCS organised a World Bicycle Day event in Delhi’s Hauz Khas area, bringing together cycling enthusiasts, health experts and urban mobility advocates.
BYCS India Foundation Chief Executive Officer Bhairavi Joshi said the organisation’s network of Bicycle Mayors was actively promoting cycling across more than 55 cities in India.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Deputy Director General Jagdish Rajesh described the observance as a positive initiative, while Bicycle Mayor Dilip Sabharwal noted that World Bicycle Day was being celebrated globally to raise awareness about the benefits of cycling.
Events held across the country underscored cycling’s role in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, sustainable mobility and environmental conservation, with organisers and participants calling for greater adoption of bicycles in everyday life.
(IANS Inputs)
