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“We met several bystanders/onlookers on the way whom we informed that they too should use cycles for daily transport and they nodded their heads in agreement,” said Manoj Nair, an avid cyclist, who has been cycling daily from his residence Dahisar to other parts of the city. On Friday, he completed over 45km and was jubilant to meet fellow cyclists who shared the same enthusiasm.
Shane Albuquerque, another cyclist, said, “It was also a precursor to our another big rally on Sunday which is World Environment Day. We will be making a record human bicycle chain on the Bandra-Worli sealink. Already, we have received over 3,000 plus registrations for that event. We want to involve as many Mumbaikars into cycling as possible.”
Mumbai bicycle mayor Firoza Suresh, who participated in the event, also shared news of her receiving the 2022 World Bicycle Day of the United Nations Award for leadership and excellence in the powerful promotion of cycling for all. She is the first Indian to receive the award from the UN, which had declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day four years ago. The day draws attention to the benefits of cycling.
The impact of the bicycle on society is quite transformative – even the poorest people get access to basic transport with the bicycle, said another cyclist.
Suresh said, “Mumbai is a linear city and has the potential to become the cycling capital of India by 2030 as bicycles are the future, and global cycling literacy is ever-increasing. Above all, it is a great platform to bring together the citizens of Mumbai bonded by love for cycling and a will to contribute to the betterment of the city they belong to. The time has come for the people of Mumbai to actively participate in shaping the city. By bringing cycling into our everyday commute, we are making a strong statement on what we envision the streets of Mumbai to become – open, safe, people-friendly and green.”