Vipan Sharma Tehsildar loves cycling, reaches office on cycle

Ferozepur, December 11, 2017: Urban capitals like London are working to make biking a transport and commuting option of choice for a more sustainable future,  Vipan Sharma Tehsildar of Ferozepur border town of Punjab state in India, who loves cycling, surprised everyone especially his colleagues in his office at Mamdot, when he reached his office on cycle.

Despite Saturday being the holiday, he preferred to paddle to reach his office at Mamdot, to attend the Lok Adalat for amicable settlement of listed cases.  Without any fatigue, the moment Vipan Sharma reached his office, he started settling the balance cases.  The total distance comes to around 60 km to and fro from Ferozepur.

Vipan is a regular paddler in Ferozepur also.  During his stay in Ferozepur, he had been going to his office on cycle once a week.

He said, no doubt the journeys before the partition were predominantly made by bike but in the 50s and 60s, as car ownership rocketed, this system changed and roads increasingly becomes congested and cyclists were squeezed. But, again the bike is becoming an integral part of everyday life rather than a symbol of a minority lifestyle.  It’s a trusty companion in life’s adventures.

Vipan said, ultimately we have to switch over the cycling to give a pollution free environment and to meet the challenge of petrol availability in future.  

When asked about his love for cycling, he said, I don’t feel any inhibition irrespective of my status.  Most of the local works, I do while paddling. Earlier I had paddled up to Amritsar and back. I am keeping a gear-fitted cycle helping me to cross the over-bridges easily without putting any extra force.

Giving his message to the youngsters, he said, youths must switch over to cycling for going to the school or college within a radius of 5-10 km to keep them fit.

At the same time,  the government must keep a provision for the cycle tracks in future plans, he added.