In a bid to promote use of bicycle for the sake of environment protection and several other benefits, a bicycle rally was organised by the Lions Club of Baleswar youth wing on Sunday entitled as ‘Cyclothon-2019’.
Braving the chilly winter cold, around 200 enthusiastic cyclists divided into categories like junior , sub junior senior and women, participated in it.
The participants covered around 10 km in the town after the event was flagged off by the Superintendent of Police B Jugal Kishore.
He besides encouraging the participants also appreciated the efforts of the organisers for holding such event for a noble cause, especially to protect environment against pollution threat.
The cyclists beginning their rally from Mission compound field covered the entire town via FM Golai, Station square, ADM square etc.
"The cycling practice in our daily life would not only help in containing pollution emitted from the vehicles using fossil fuels, it also keeps one physically fit. Besides, it lessens financial burden," the organisers, who have been conducting the event annually for the last five years, advocated.
“Wider use of bicycle as against vehicles run on fossil fuels could contain the menace of pollution to a large extent. Even for a small distance, including going to a local daily market, we use bike and four-wheeler. They not only pollute the atmosphere but also trigger traffic congestion. Over and above, use of cycle lessens financial burden on monthly budget and keeps one fit,” said a woman participant.
“With the rally, we are trying to create awareness, especially among the young masses, to embrace cycle for a greater cause,” she added.
Industrialist Himansu Das, Bhagban Gupta, PK Karn, Sanjay Das, Susanta Panda ,Pravat Karn and Ansuman Sahu were among the Lions’ Club members who coordinated the event.