J&K Sports Council in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services and Sports and Nehru Yuva Kenda organized cycle rallies in the cities of Jammu and Srinagar. While in Jammu, the starting point of the rally was the historical Hari Niwas, in Srinagar the iconic Lal Chowk marked a rush of cyclists in the wee hours of the day. Participants of the rally in the winter capital paddled through Amphlla Chowk-Kachi Chawni-Parade-Shalimar-Indra Chowk-Bikram Chowk and finally culminating at KK Hakhu Hockey Stadium, Jammu while in Srinagar the route for the cyclists was from Ghanta Ghar, Lal Chowk through M.A Road-TRC Signal-Dalgate-along the embankment of Dal Lake up to the Cheshmashahi Crossing and finally culminating in Botonical Garden Parking.
Many hydration points were set up en route in both Jammu and Srinagar to keep cyclists hydrated.
The Divisional Commissioners Pandurang K. Pole and Ramesh Kumar were the chief guests in their respective divisions. While Divisional Commissioner Jammu was flanked by Rakesh Mangotra, Additional Secretary to YSS department, Chander Mohan Gupta, Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jitendra Mishra Deputy Director YSS, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, Chief Accounts Officer J&K Sports Council, while the  Divisional Commissioner Kashmir was flanked by Nuzhat Gull, Secretary J&K Sports Council, Bashir Ahmad Joint Director DYSS Kashmir, Nuzhat Farooq and Nusrat Gazala, Divisional Sports Officers, Balbir Singh District Sports Officer DYSS, Srinagar, Officials from Nehru Yuva Kendra, Shabir Khan, SDPO Kothibagh Police Station besides other officers and officials from Sports Council and other government departments.
The rallies witnessed a massive participation of cyclists in both divisions, which included a large number of female participants between the age group of 8 to 58 years. While in Jammu province more than 250 cyclists took part in the rally besides 60 officials from Sports Council, Youth Services and Sports, and other government departments. The main attraction of the Jammu remained the participation of the first female cyclist group of J&K, “Women do Ride” which mostly comprised women above 35 years of age. The group is affiliated with J&K Cycling Association which also pitched many amateur and professional cyclists in the rally in both the divisions. In the Kashmir division, more than 300 cyclists paddled in the rally besides 50 officials from other departments including officials of the Sports Council led by Nuzhat Gazala, Divisional Sports Officer Central, and other employees from the Department of Youth Services and Sports besides other government departments including J&K Police and J&K Bank.
Though United Nations General Assembly had declared June 3 to be celebrated as World Bicycle Day in 2018, in J&K the day was celebrated for the first time today.
While addressing the participants in historic Ghanta Ghar, Lal Chowk Srinagar, Divisional Kashmir P.K Pole appreciated the initiative of the Sports Council to celebrate the World Bicycle Day which besides being a sports activity carries a huge socio-economic and environmental message. He also said that such unique initiatives should be organized more often, adding that the purpose of this rally is to create awareness about cycling among people so that cycling becomes a daily routine for fitness and a measure to safeguard the environment.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, and Ramesh Kumar while speaking on the occasion encouraged the participants to make cycling a daily routine and thereby play an important role not only in their well-being but the well-being of the environment in which they thrive. He also added that slowly but surely people are adopting the bicycle as a preferred mode of transport which will help in mitigating the climate emergency and achieve the UN sustainable development goals.
Chander Mohan Gupta, Mayor of Jammu Municipal Corporation was all praises for the rally which he said not only addresses the concerns of the sedentary lifestyle but also has a handy role in limiting the use of fuel-driven automobiles which adds to the air pollution.
Addressing the athletes at the culmination of the rally at the finishing point in Botanical Garden, Srinagar Secretary Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull highlighted the role of frequent cycling in reducing the carbon footprints on planet earth. She said, if pledge not to use our vehicle for just two days a week, it means we are saving planet earth from the onslaught of CFCs for around 104 days, and imagine hundreds of thousands of people sticking to this routine can play an important role in limiting the impact of greenhouse gases on mother earth. She also said that sports is a major tool to keep drugs and other social evils at bay and save our future generation from falling prey to such evils thus paving way for a prudent society. Secretary Sports Council extended thanks to all the government departments who coordinated the event especially J&K Traffic Police, Directorate of Health Services J&K, Municipal Corporations of Jammu and Srinagar, J&K Police, and all others.
Speaking on the occasion Rakesh Mangotra Additional Secretary YSS congratulated the Sports Council and YSS for their efforts and for making this event successful. He also congratulated and thanked all the participants for becoming a part of what he termed a “moment to movement” and hoped that all will adopt this healthy life activity to keep ailments at bay.
Bashir Ahmad, Joint Director DYSS involved the participants in carrying forward the message of the rally which not only helps in physical wellbeing but plays a pivotal role in destressing as modern-day man is under the severe influence of mental stress due to varied day to day factors.
Jitendra Mishra Deputy Director YSS appealed to all to cycle at least for 15 minutes a day and help in making the environment and society healthier and fitter.
Dr. Zaffar Iqbal Chief Accounts Officer who coordinated the rally in Jammu speaking on the occasion also highlighted the benefits of cycling on the cardiovascular system of the body and how this activity helps one stay healthier and fit. He also gave the gist of the route and the program that followed.
Pertinently Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is celebrating World Bicycle Day under 'India@75', Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav across the entire country today.
Many participants speaking on the sidelines of the event also gave their bent of mind. Young Tabish wants roads for cyclists. He said we need roads without any hindrance from manhole covers and heavy traffic. He also advocated for a three-foot cycle lane so that cyclists enjoy riding in their designated space.
A 48-year-old banker, Basharat Qureshi demanded decent cycling infrastructure with dedicated cycling lanes if not in the entire J&K but at least a track to paddle on in each district of the union territory.
Rishab a young cyclist from Udhampur said, Bicycle tourism has huge growth potential, if introduced in J&K it will not only help save the environment but also help in decongestion of traffic in all major tourist hotspots.
The youngest cyclist in the rally at Jammu, 8 years old Hammad Raza demanded that every arterial road in the city must have a de facto lane for cycling. “A cyclist has an equal right on the road”, he said.