The Bicycle Mayor of Ranchi Kanishka Poddar in association with various cycling clubs of the City organised a first ever Night Cycling Group Ride on April 1.
As many as 20 cyclists both male and female participated in the event and cycled for 30 kms. The event started at 7 pm at State Guest House, Morabadi and followed the course till National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), entered Birsa Agriculture University via Ring Road and returned to the starting point at 8:30 pm.
Poddar informed that Night Cycling will be organised every Thursday at 8 pm and new routes will be selected every week.
The details for the same will be posted on the Ranchi Cycling Facebook page. During these rides, it will be compulsory for every cyclist to wear helmets and also have head and tail lights on their bikes.
“These group rides will increase the visibility of cyclists on the roads and will help in inspiring many others to join them. The aim of these rides is to reclaim the streets from motor vehicle drivers and remind them that the roads also belong to cyclists,” said Poddar.
The event is in tune with the campaign #ShanivarNoCar launched by the Ranchi Municipal Corporation and Ranchi Smart City in order to promote cycling in the City.
“The growing cycling culture in Ranchi will help in making our City cleaner and greener. The moment people start using bicycles instead of motor vehicles, they become fitter both physically and mentally and also make their City healthier. Events like these will not inspire people to take up cycling but also bring a cultural shift where they will start considering roads as safe for cyclists,” added the Bicycle Mayor.
Poddar further urged the State Government and district administration to focus on creating bicycle friendly infrastructure like pop- up cycling lanes parking stations for bicycles in commercial and government buildings and places of interest and also declare cycle only zones in certain areas on Sundays and holidays.