Mangaluru: Being a lazy Sunday while most of the young and old citizens were still on bed, but nearly 1000 old and young enthusiastic cyclists got up early and assembled near Mangala stadium in the city at 6.30am on 8 November to take part in the “Cycle Rally”, organized with Mangalore Bicycle Club in association with a Kannada daily newspaper. The main purpose of the rally was to bring awareness among the citizens to keep the City Clean and ‘Make Mangaluru Best City”. The organizers also wanted to stress on the importance of making the youth aware of the advantages of cycling, with an objective to promote cycling as means of transport in the region, a good source of exercising to keep healthy, along with preserving the environment.
A young girl participant said that she wanted to see a clean and green Mangaluru- she also said Cycling is eco-friendly, good for health and saves petrol. Cycling is low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. Regular cycling has many physical and mental health benefits. It is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems such as stroke, heart attack, some cancers, depression, diabetes, obesity and arthritis. To be fit and healthy you need to be physically active. Riding your bicycle regularly is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment. Also riding to work or the shops is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine. And to promote the benefits of cycling and educate the young about cycling the organizers had decided to hold this Rally.
The Rally was flagged off across from Mangala Stadium by Capt.Ganesh Karnik- Member of Legislative Council at Karnataka Legislative Council, MLA JR Lobo, Ex-MCC Mayor Sashidhar Hegde, other corporators and VIPs. The cyclists covered a distance of 12 Kms, passing through various streets in the city-from Mangala stadium -Car Street, GHS Rd, Central Railway Station Rd, Attavar, Jeppu-Kankanady, Bendore-well, Balmatta, Mallikatta, Bunts Hostel Rd, MG Rd, Lalbagh and culminating at back at Mangala Stadium. This was not a Race or Competition, but to encourage kids and adults to participate. Two cycles-Hercules and Firebird were given away as prizes for lucky riders.
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” had said Albert Einstein- Among the many cyclists who took part in this “Cycle Rally”,one person named Donald “Donny” Menezes, who is the member of Mangalore Cycle Club and a Pro-Cyclist who has benefitted a lot, including relieving himself from various health problems from regularly cycling said that he has great passion for cycling that he has enjoyed this hobby by pedalling for fun and glory, and this sport has kept him moving in his life. He said that Cycling makes you- Sleep more deeply; Look younger; Boosts your bowels; Increases your brain power; Beats illness; Live longer; Save the planet; Heal your heart; Lose weight in the saddle; Avoid pollution; Enjoy healthy family time etc etc. So, if you’re feeling tired, take a ride!”
So, if you have never rode a bicycle before, it’s not too late, you still can do it, and feel the benefits and difference it makes in your lifestyle. They say that Bicycling, along with being the most efficient mode of human locomotion, is also one of the best all-around activities for improving our health. From head to toes, cycling’s health benefits are hard to beat. Cycling is good for your heart; Cycling is good for your muscles;Cycling is good for your waistline; Cycling is good for your lifespan; Cycling is good for your coordination; Cycling is good for your mental health and Cycling is good for your immune system-it can strengthen your immune system, and could protect against certain kinds of cancers. Let’s go cycling, and keep the environment pollution free. Let’s make Mangaluru pollution free -support “Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan”!