Mangaluru: Svasti RxLife Trust, a registered charitable trust based in Mannagudda here which promotes activities and events to empower children and women, as part of their annual project organized “Svasti RxLife Cycle Rally” on Sunday, 6 December, 2015, which was flagged off from Lady Hill Circle at 6.30 am. The rally was inaugurated by S Murugan IPS – Commissioner of Police, Mangaluru. He complimented the organizers for encouraging the young and the old to take up cycling which has lot of health benefits and also good for the environment in controlling pollution. S Mukund Kamath – Managing Partner, Ideal Ice cream; Dr Krishna Nayak – Dean, AB Shetty Dental College; Badrinath Nayak – Partner, Jyoti Cycle Co; and others also took turns in flagging off the rally.

The rally covered a distance of 21 km, starting from Lady Hill and passing through Bejai, Malemar, Kuloor, Panambur, Kottara – Urvastore – Ashoknagar – Hoigebail – Sulthan Batteri and culminating at Amrita Vidyalayam School Grounds, Boloor around 9.30 am. This mass cycle rally, unique to Mangaluru, started with 240 riders in the year 2007, and over the past eight years this non-commercial, non-competitive event being organised in public interest has been well patronized by Mangaloreans. While more than 2200 riders participated in last year’s Cycle Rally, this year the number of participants were around 3000.

Speaking to Mangalorean.com, Dr Gayathri- a trustee of Svasti Rx Life Trust said, “The rally has succeeded in evoking keen interest in Cycling, which apart from being a common man’s mode of transport is also a widely acclaimed fitness routine. Amongst children, cycling inculcates basic riding reflexes, road sense, spirit of adventure and the thrill of balancing on wheels. The focus this time is ROAD SAFETY. The punch line is ‘Safe Roads, Safer Rides’. All the hoardings propagate road safety slogans like ‘Learn to let go’, ‘Keep left’, ‘Keep pedalling, ‘You will find your way’, etc.”

Very good arrangements had been made by the organizers – a pilot jeep led the rally, followed by an ambulance with a team of doctors from KSHEMA, also including an ambulance from Infosys. Cycle Rescue Vans attended cycle break down calls. Water points, orange points, dry fruits points was also arranged on the way. Rangers on two-wheelers guided the riders. At the end of the rally, a sumptuous breakfast was served to all the participants and volunteers. Kudos to volunteers for doing a good job in controlling the traffic and the cyclists.

At Amrita Vidyalayam School, a basic life saving skills including practical hands on Basic lifesaving Skills (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) was demonstrated by the doctors of Indian Society of Anaesthesiology (ISA) and Indian Medical Association (IMA) in association with KSHEMA and Tech2people Healthcare, under the guidance of Dr Gayathri. Various volunteers, like members of YHAI, Team Mangalore, Rxlife Family, SICASA – C.A. Students Association, Mangalore Bicycle Club, and many other organisations volunteered to facilitate a smooth rally. Mangalore City Police and Traffic Police Division of the city and Suratkal ensured traffic management. Since this event was not a Race or Competition, but to encourage participation, five cycles are given away as prizes for lucky riders.

The rally was also organized to impress upon the local administration to take Road Safety measures like footpaths, Zebra cross for pedestrians, Two wheeler Lanes, Bus stops, service roads and pothole free riding roads. It is the dream of every participant to cycle on the Tannirbhavi stretch crossing over the hanging bridge at Sultan Batteri – hope it will materialise. The rally also was aimed in bringing awareness about Swachh Mangaluru, and also on the Yettinahole project.

In conclusion, Forget Apples! Even if there is a saying that an apple a day, keeps the doctor away – cycling a day keeps the doctor at bay. 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 strokes, heart attacks, 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.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving,” said Albert Einstein – Whether it’s to boost your fitness, health or bank balance, or as an environmental choice, taking up cycling could be one of the best decisions you ever make. Cycling will get to your destination faster than other vehicles during rush hours in the city. 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!

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. So make cycling a part of your hobby. Enjoy life and live healthy and longer.

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