Car Free Day

A Car Free Day, which is celebrated in more than 200 cities in the world, promotes improvement of mass transit, cycling and walking. Studies showed that for short trips in cities, one can reach more quickly using a bicycle rather than using a car. About 3.1 Million people ride bicycle every month. It is a European event that emerged in 1960s and it caught attention within three decades. This event is being scheduled in Gurgaon for every Tuesday; a city where handling road traffic is the first job of the day for many people.

While the movement of cars will not be banned in the city, pick up and drop facilities in offices and unauthorized parking on roadsides and other places will not be allowed in specific areas of the city. Specific locations are chosen in the city for the event. In my opinion, it is a good step towards sustainability and reducing rush and accidents on the road. The only thing is it has to be followed properly by citizens and structured in a good way.

Instance, one will save fuel consumption, save environment, save economy and traffic will become smooth. Day is not far when Humans will have to adopt sustainability forcefully. Increase in viral diseases, disasters, rapid consumption of natural resources will one day bring back life to focus on these things. This step taken by Gurgaon Municipal Corporation for the benefit of city people is a positive move.

Two days of this event and it emerged as a positive source of inspiration for cyclists. The reason why I see this event as a good source for community is I ride a bike daily to office. I leave ten minutes before my scheduled time and reach office before any person in car, starting from same point. The only difference is I feel the Sun, the Dust and the Sweat. The aim of this event is to switch people to public transport and we should join hands to make it a success.

My Love for Cycling & My Mountain Bike

Albert Einstein once said, he thought of the theory of relativity while riding a bicycle. Cycling is third most popular recreational activity in the UK. About 3.1 Million people ride bicycle every month. I too love cycling since childhood and my new Mountain Bike “Rockrider 5.3”. There are many reasons that turn me on for cycling every time including its benefits.

Regular cycling can help one shed weight, regulate stress and improve fitness. It saves transport & fuel expenses. The best thing about cycling is that it is pollution free which is good for environment. According to a research by Illinois University researchers, cycling helps build brain cells in the hippocampus, the region responsible for memory, which keeps on deteriorating after the age of 30.

Cycling also beats illness and keeps doctor at bay. It is also helpful for Insomnia sufferers who can’t sleep at nights. Cycling helps in getting proper sleeps because it prevents the stress hormones and regenerate sleep. Regular cycling can protect skin against the harmful effects of UV radiation and reduce signs of ageing. It also helps in living longer because body becomes much more efficient to regenerate new cells.

Cycling also helps avoid obesity which means guilt free snacks at any party. It also helps me to get fitter and hence better at sports. Professionally, cycling also helps to maintain and create network with people. Last but not the least; twenty bicycles can be parked in the same space as one car. It takes around five percent of the materials and energy used to make a car than to build a bike and a bike produces zero pollution.

Cycling is an activity that involves the whole body. Therefore, arm-to-leg, feet-to-hands and body-to-eye coordination are improved. I love my bike because it has twenty seven gears, disc brakes and a light weight frame to pull. Apart from physical structure of bike I would like to add that cycling also builds leadership & strategy skills. Above image describes meaning of all parts of cycle. Gear part is engagement and chain is the feedback point.

So, one can’t easily measure the benefits of cycling on one’s life. Most of the times, people ask me “Why don’t you buy a motor bike in same price”, well the answer is simple, it will make me lazy and increase risks of accident. When I travel from one place to another in a city, my ultimate goal is to cover a distance, which can be done from cycling as well.