Cycle Sense

“Popularising bicycles is highly relevant at this hour of environmental pollution and global warming. It is also timely to mobilize people of all ages and classes to ride cycles while heading for schools, colleges, offices and businesses houses. It relieves traffic congestion, parking mania and accidents. It is highly helpful for maintaining sound health.
by: Seram Neken
Morning walk has become an unavoidable practice for many people above 50s in the Imphal city. City residents throng the Khwairamband bazaar in early morning with walking sticks, only to be back with vegetable varieties purchased from sellers. The crowd has somewhat reduced in size as winter is at its peak nowadays. Otherwise in summer, people of all ages are seen walking in early morning at bazaar area, as if there is a festival around. This is a healthy trend for those who care for their health. It would be more encouraging, if they begin to ride bicycles for commuting, office going, businesses and education.

Although the emergence of automobiles has drastically reduced the cycling population in many parts of the globe since the introduction of bicycles in the 19th century, many people are still riding bicycles for varied purposes. In the past, we could see postman riding cycles to deliver mails at home, and policemen on bicycles maintaining law and order. The ringing of the bicycle mandila signified “Telli” visiting the house for selling edible oil. In recent past, boy scouts, NCC cadets and school going young students used to ride bicycles for heading to their destinations. Nowadays, the scenario has almost turned upside down. Students no longer ride cycles for schooling and tuition-going. Even most newspaper hawkers have jumped to automobile bikes from cycling in their business. All these natural changes from human-powered ride to automobiles have surely increased convenience, comfort and swiftness. However, on the other side of the story, reduction in cycling population affects health, environment and economy of the society.

Cycling proves to be one of the most effective exercises, to shed off those extra calories and get rid of flabby abs. Even a small amount of cycling can prove to be good enough to boost body metabolism level, thereby fastening weight loss programs. It helps to improve the overall balance and coordination. Cycling minimizes the risk of coronary heart disease. Essentially an aerobic exercise, it gives heart, blood vessels and lungs a workout, thereby reducing the risk of heart problems. A few miles of cycling per day assure trimmer and toned muscles. This is because the upper thigh muscles, backside and calf muscles all get to workout. Pursuing cycling helps a great deal in building body stamina. It enables to carry out day-to-day activities more effectively. For people, who are on the heavier side, cycling can prove to be beneficial. It manages weight and helps in getting rid of increased waistline and bulging fat. The pleasure and satisfaction attained while riding a bicycle alleviates all the stress, anxiety and depression of a person. Cycling enhances the overall fitness level of a person. It makes us breathe deeper and perspire more, thereby leading to a feeling of enhanced body temperature.

The benefits of cycling go beyond health issues too. A complete leisure activity, cycling is a complete environmental friendly activity. It minimizes quantum of air pollution and noise pollution in city areas. Unlike other means of transport, it lets out no harmful chemicals in the air. Cycling can prove to be the best mode to move around your our area without any difficulty as it relieves us from traffic congestions and parking inadequacy. Cycling is economical at such a time as petrol prices have sky-rocketed and unavailability of the same drives vehicle-owners to stay nights in the pump queues. Cycling shall automatically increase smartness of young boys and girls who drive two-wheelers to tuition, schools and colleges. Cycling is also a sport and recreation activity. Cycle touring, adventure and picnics are interesting items of life.

A really encouraging innovative sense has been placed with some like minded people in Manipur planning to form a Club Cycle Manipur to popularize the cycle use for many useful reasons. The group in its facebook page mobiles memberships and schedules a rendezvous on 23rd January next year. The effort may be rightly termed as sensible and timely.