In celebration of World Bicycle Day, organisations across Pune, including Parisar, organised a series of activities to promote cycling, sustainability, and community engagement, during the first week of June. Here’s a recap:
- Night Bicycle Ride
Led by Aniket Mahashabde and the Cymour Bicycle Institute team, this exhilarating event on June 1st took participants through Pune's vibrant streets. Over 30 cyclists enjoyed a 15 km ride, experiencing the city's sights and sounds while promoting a healthy, eco-friendly lifestyle.
- Cycle Track Challenge
This challenge encouraged Punekars to explore and document the city’s cycle tracks during the first week of June. Ashish Kothari highlighted the dangers due to the lack of segregated tracks on Senapati Bapat Road, emphasising the need to hold the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) accountable for the Pune Cycle Plan. Dr. Arundhati Pande showcased how tourist spots like Lonavala would benefit from dedicated cycle lanes.
- Cycle-2-Work Initiative
We encouraged individuals and organisations to cycle to work, promoting health, sustainability, and community engagement. About 20 participants from various regions submitted their photos, videos, and Strava screenshots, with rides ranging from 140 m to 27.3 km.
- CycleOn event
CycleOn, a Pune-based community dedicated to reviving the cycling culture in Pune, organised a public event "Pedal to CycleOn" to celebrate World Bicycle Day 2024. The event was designed to experience the joy of cycling and revisit the good old times of cycling that the city of Pune was known for. Livelihood cyclists, daily wage workers, and house helpers have been cycling for decades and continue. This event was organised to celebrate them and the humble cycle.
The event featured the team from Trk Dhoom Music Academy, led by Nitin Satav, who created a rhythmic energy around the participants pedalling 10 stationary cycles fitted with LED lights and dynamos, which lit up the cycles as they pedalled. Hatim Abbasi, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student from VIT College in Pune, volunteered his time and knowledge in setting up the dynamo fittings on the cycles.
CycleOn aims to continue engaging with all those who already cycle, those who support cycling, and those who want to build their confidence in cycling as part of the Pune Cycle Partnership, which is part of PMC’s Pune Bicycle Plan.
The Jungli Maharaj Footpath design serves as an excellent demonstration of inclusive road design, accommodating pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport alongside lanes for private vehicles. This cycling event was the perfect opportunity to celebrate one of the city's existing cycling infrastructures, with more to come, providing safe and convenient options for citizens walking, cycling, and taking public transport for their daily commutes and beyond.
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported our events. Stay tuned for more initiatives to make Pune a cycling-friendly city!
Punekar News: https://www.punekarnews.in/punes-cycling-culture-revived-at-pedal-to-cycleon-event-for-world-bicycle-day-2024/
In-house video coverage: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7tkt6_K9pm/