In a bid to encourage people to use cycle, the Guwahati Cycle Tour is organizing ‘Freedom Ride 2017’ on August 15. The ride will start at 6:30 am from Latasil playground and will cover 30 km in Guwahati.
Guwahati Cycle Tour is a group of individuals who are working towards adoption of cycling in daily life.
Starting from Latasil Playground the cyclists participating in the Freedom Ride will ride through MG Road, Fancy Bazar, Bharalumukh, Kamakhya Foothills, Paltan Bazar, Ganeshguri, Ganesh Mandir, Beltola Tiniali, Jayanagar, Six Mile, Ganeshguri, Chandmari, Guwahati Club and end at Latasil Playground.
“We are expecting about 150 to 200 cyclists for the event. We have made wearing a helmet compulsory for all cyclists participating in the event. This is to inculcate safe riding habits among the people,” the organizers said.
In order to make cycling safer, the group has requested the authorities to provide cycling zones. The group says that it will motivate people to adopt the eco-friendly mode of transportation.
“The excitement to continue cycling is often diffused by the growing traffic and rash driving. Cyclists, being slow movers, often face the ire of the traffic as they become victim to the rage of drivers. So, it’s very important to have a safe cycling path,” Samrat Dev, one of the founders of GST, told The News Mill.
The group submitted a petition to the chief minister seeking for a safe cycling corridor in Guwahati to control carbon emission and to encourage sustainable growth.
They have already submitted a detail proposal to the chief minister, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), PWD department and traffic police department among others.
He said that the GCT members have taken a pledge to make the city a better place for not only for their generation, but for generations to come.
“Considering the same and few discussions and debates that we have had with fellow group of cyclists, we hereby request the authority concerned to help the cyclists with safe and conducive conditions for cycling in the city,” Dev added.
They have also suggested that the city-based schools should encourage the concept of ‘cycling to school’ and restrict parents from dropping their wards to school.
“This will not only encourage the children to be independent but also they will imbibe the character of a responsible citizen,” said another member.
