Gzb hosts cycle marathon to fight pollution

A group of cycling enthusiasts on Sunday organised a cycle rally, ‘Cyclathon’, to highlight the rising air pollution level in the in the city, adjoining the national Capital.

These youngsters have vowed to turn the city’s air cleaner. Ghaziabad is battling deadly levels of PM2.5 and PM10. 

Around 400 children, including 150 girls, and adults  cycled around 9km on the chilly Sunday morning. They passed through Raj Nagar and Kavi Nagar areas.

According to the organisers, the event received a good response from women too. More than 40 per cent participants were women. “The enthusiasm among youngsters reflects their pledge for a clean and green environment. They are encouraging people to use cycles for short and medium distances instead of motor vehicles,” said Akash Vashishtha, a member of the Go Cycle Club (GCC), which had organised the event.

Children as young as 5-6 years were also seen pedaling. The participants want to beautify the city and reduce its air pollution level. The cycle rally aims to make society rid of diseases such as blood pressure and diabetes, caused by the lack of physical movement and increased dependency on motor vehicles.

“It is the duty of the state to do everything to protect the environment. Travelling in a car may give you comfort, but it is indeed taking away your health. People should stop  using motor vehicles and ask their children to use cycles only.  Cycling is the only activity that can give regular benefits to your health and can help cut down pollution level. We will soon hold another such event and will expand it in Delhi and other cities,” said Vikrant Tongad, an environmentalist.

He added the group is encouraging people to use cycles for short and medium distances and shun motor vehicles for travelling.