Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 4: For most parents buying a tricycle or a bicycle for their children and teaching them to gain control over their bikes is one of the fond memories of bringing up children. For children too it is a great experience because gaining control over their bikes gives them a sense of victory and a feeling of freedom at a young age. After that initial feeling of déjà vu having mastered the art, cycling may continue till the child starts schooling. Once the school regimen starts neither parents nor children evince any interest to continue cycling as a hobby or as a passion. Considering the pitiable condition of our roads cycling as a means of transport is unthinkable inside city limits. Moreover the burden and pressure of curricula and extracurricular activities leaves hardly any time for children to make cycling a part of their daily routine. With apartment culture becoming a norm in Mangalore and other cities as well, cycles get relegated to the corner of our homes once the initial euphoria subsides.

As a fitness regimen, as a healthy hobby, as an outdoor activity or even as a means of short distance transport, cycling scores over many other activities. In some countries cycling is a deep-rooted part of their culture where children are able to bicycle by the time they start school. In a country like Denmark cycling is taught as a basic skill on part with walking and talking. But in India and in a city like Mangalore the basic culture of having cycling as a hobby is sneered at because of our ignorance and more so because cycling is looked down upon as a poor man’s transport.

Building confidence and reflexes

Having realised this lacunae that deprives both children and grownups the joy and benefits of cycling as part of our routine, Swasti-Rxlife, a Mannagudda based charitable trust came up with its annual cycle rally to give an opportunity for children and youngsters to develop love for cycling and also improve their reflexes on road.

To the surprise of their first rally held in December 2007 found takers among children and families with the participation of over 234 people. Encouraged by the positive response received from the people, every year RX Hercules Cycle Rally has been organising cycle rally in the first week of December and every year the number of participants in the rally is on the rise.

Chartered Accountant Giridhar Kamath brainwave of developing cycling to boost fitness and health consciousness among children paved the way for an annual event in the form of Rxlife Hercules cycle rally. This year the cycle rally is scheduled on December 7, 2014 and more than 2000 cyclists are expected to participate in the rally. The theme of the rally for this year is “Safe Roads, Safer Rides”. Every year the number of bikers is increasing and this has given a big boost for the organizers as well as the participants. The more the merrier seems to be the mantra that guides them all.

From Me to We

Giridhar Kamath says “the purpose of rally is to popularise cycling as fitness regimen, as a hobby, and as a short distance means of transport. This rally would also result in enhanced awareness on the need for safer and saner riding habits among children and encourage them in outdoor activities”. He further adds that these we have seen that children don’t indulge in outdoor activities and have become self-centred. “We want to see their transformation from “me to we” and become socially responsible residents through the mass peddling experience they gain from this rally”.

File Photos

Entry is free to all those who are above 10 years and every rider will be given an identity card. The rally which will be flagged off from Lady Hill Circle at 6.30 am will cover about 18 kms distance crossing through important junctions like Urwa Store, Kottara Chowki, Kulur Bridge and Tannirbavi beach. After regrouping at Tannirbavi they will return via same road taking a detour at Urwa Store to move towards Ashoknagar, Hoige Bazar, Sultan Batheri and will congregate at Amartanandamayi School Ground at around 9.00am.

The organizers have roped in the services of volunteers of Youth Hostel Association of India, Team Mangalore, SICASA-CA Students Association Mangalore who will be stationed at all important junctions and guide the bike riders throughout the rally. There will be water points, organge points and dry fruit points at important junctions. An ambulance and first aid team from KSHEMA, cycle rescue vans and pilot jeep will form the part of the cycle rally. They have also sought the help and cooperation of the traffic police in this endeavour.

After the rally breakfast will be served for all the participants and volunteers. Every cycle rider will be given with an identity numbered sticker and also identity card. They will also be given T shirts and caps. Riders will get an opportunity to win cycles as the sponsors BSA Hercules and Jyothi Cycles will provide cycles to five lucky winners. The rally is sponsored by Hercules, Ideal Ice Cream, MRPL, HPCL, Karnataka Bank and Jyoti cycle Company.

Will holding a cycle rally once a year help developing cycling as a fitness regime or health consciousness? Giridhar answers in the affirmative saying “usually in Mangalore we find that children don’t venture out into the roads to cycle. They confine themselves to their homes or to their courtyards. If the children want to come out on the road with their cycles they have to be accompanied by the parents. Even then their safety is under considerable risk. This rally gives the children as well as all those who want to enjoy cycling an experience of riding a long stretch in the midst of traffic. With volunteers keeping an eye on the riders at all crossing points, children can ride without any fear or panic. This experience will boost their confidence and improve their reflexes”. The only consideration Giridhar and his team asks from bigger vehicles is to show some concern and consideration to the smaller vehicles like cycles when they are cycling in the busy roads.

In an effort to provide a cycle-friendly atmosphere in the city, RXlife has been in touch with Yojaka, which has taken the responsibility of developing the two beaches of Mangalore. Giridhar says RXlife is in touch with them to develop an exclusive cycling zone in the Tannir Bavi stretch so that cycling enthusiasts can freely indulge in their passion without any hindrance.

RX cycle rally has succeeded in rejuvenating cycling among children and youth and also among a few families. It is indeed uplifting to see a few families having a cycling ride in Mannagudda and a few other less trafficked areas of the city. It shows that the hobby is witnessing a revival.

Those who are interested in participating in the rally can fill an entry from at RXlife, Mannagudda and submit the same (2457192) till the evening of December 6, 2014.