Let Cycling be a passion for fun and fitness by S.Z.Khan
Bicycles were introduced in the 19th century and since then, cycle is the foremost means of transportation for short to moderate distances, in several parts of the world. Cycling, pedalling or biking is use of bicycles for transport, recreation, exercise or sport and persons doing cycling are known as cyclists, bikers or as bicyclists. The utility of the cycle is acknowledged by all and sundry. In earlier times, it used to be a poor man’s car, but in recent days, it has turned out to be a fitness-cum- fashion statement, too. It is still a time-saving machine for many. Hence its use is growing day by day.
It is estimated that there are already more than two billion bikes in use around the world. By 2050, this number can reach five billions. This is also because over 50 per cent of the human population knows how to ride a cycle. In China, 37.2 per cent of the population uses bicycles whereas in Japan 57 per cent, and in Finland 60 per cent of the population uses bicycle. Record of the nation with the most bicycles per capita, is held by Netherland.
But the fact remains, that cycling can flourish in countries with dedicated cycling tracks as well as encouraging laws. In this regard, the Danish capital, Copenhagen, is considered the most bicycle-friendly city in the world. It’s also known as the ‘City of Cyclists,’ where 52 per cent of the population depends on a bike for the daily commute. In a bid to encourage physical activity, the Health Ministry in India, too, wants to develop cycling tracks across the country as it embarks on a campaign to promote cycling for a healthy lifestyle.
In fact, cycling is such a wonderful activity, that it deserves patronage by all. The apparent mindlessness of pedalling cannot only make us happier but also leave room for other thoughts, from the banal to the profound. According to the writer James E Starrs “Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling”. Albert Einstein is supposed to have said: “I thought of the theory of relativity, while riding my bicycle.
As per another famous intellectual, “On the seat of my bike, I’ve made life decisions, ‘written’ passages of articles, and reflected usefully on emotional troubles”. In the book ‘How to live well without owning a car’, Chris Balish states, “The bicycle is the most efficient mode of human transport ever devised. The only form of transportation that is cheaper is walking.” Therefore, bicycling is, without a doubt, a less expensive and more efficient way as a means of travel.
Cyclists are able to go to the places that they want to go and yet put one less car on the road. As we travel along on cycle, we enjoy fresh air. Outdoor life provides us many advantages. New scenes meet our eyes. Our mind is free from the serious thoughts. We forget bitterness of life so long as we are on the bicycle.
Cycle is a boon especially to those who live in cities. They are strangers to the natural scenes. Many of them cannot go out of the town for many reasons. To these people the cycle is especially of greater utility. It enables them to go to the countryside. It gives us a unique chance to come closer to nature and feel its vastness, its beauty, its inexperienced facets for better appreciation. Cycling also gives us an opportunity to witness the innumerable beautiful creations of the Almighty. There are many who consider cycling a divine experience.
Besides providing a feast to our aesthetics, cycling also widens our knowledge base. When we pedal in the neighbouring areas, we learn many new things. We get opportunity to know the history and geography of places we visit, in a better way. Cycle also enables us to tread into the path untreaded so far, visit the places which are not accessible by vehicle. We may gain first hand knowledge about the local customs, traditions, languages/ dialects, cultures, etc.
Smart phones/tabs with internet connections have challenged the way we use to meet and chat with friends and relatives. Social media is replete with images of family/friends get-togethers where most of the participants are busy on their phones browsing facebook/whatsApp, etc. rather than chatting and sharing the precious moment with family/friends. Personal and human touch in relationship which Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore valued so high is the first victim of this age of virtual relations. A cyclist travels mostly in the company of his friends and since one cannot pedal safely without keeping phone aside, merrily goes the talk during pedalling. They pass their time in discussions, laughing, talking and cracking jokes. Thus cycling also becomes a very good stress buster.
Maintaining Physical fitness is one of the most challenging tasks as one grows older. Many of the fitness conscious individuals find it difficult to continue with running or jogging as the knee starts giving troubles with the growing age. Sometime knee and other injuries become so serious that the person gets de-motivated to go for any physical exercise. In such conditions, cycling turns out to be the most suitable physical activity. It reduces vulnerabilities of muscle or joint injuries.
A fantastic workout, it not only enables us to derive pleasure, but also goes a long way in ensuring our overall fitness. Cycling proves to be one of the most effective exercises, to shed off those extra calories and get rid of flabby abs. Even a small amount of cycling can prove to be good enough to boost metabolism level, thereby fastening weight loss programme.
John Ratey is a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. He can’t point to a specific reason but says he has seen patients whose severe depression has all but disappeared after they started to cycle.
That is why a writer opined that “When man invented the bicycle, he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man’s convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. ”
Cycling, not only benefits individuals but also the organisation, as a whole. Happier, healthier, more engaged employees mean a more connected, productive workplace. It reduces costs related to transport and parking and since it’s emissions-free and helps reduce road traffic, pollution, noise and congestion, it needs to be promoted by governments as well as private sector. Realising its inherent multiple benefits, former Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan once expressed that if you put everybody to running, walking and cycling, you can take care of 50 per cent of their health. The recent developments in India, seem to be encouraging as a dedicated track for cyclists, has become a reality in the city of Lucknow and many other cities, including the National capital, has plans to construct the same soon. One major concern of cyclists, in India, today is, safety. With the accession of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, cyclists’ right to the road has been enshrined in international law since 1968. Need of the hour is also to enact and implement the long-standing global legal tenet i.e the larger vehicle involved in a collision to assume responsibility. With dedicated cycling tracks and such favorable laws, I am sure, India has potential of becoming the new Cycling Hub of the world.
(The writer is Senior Divisional Security Commissioner, RPF, NR, Ferozepur Division. The views expressed are his own)
S Z Khan
