Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live
FOR THE LOVE OF CYCLING
Bicycling is one of the tried and tested forms of keeping fit
Public bike sharing initiatives have been received well in all corners of the world, as they provide people with an easy way of transport that also allows them to get ample exercise. From Amsterdam, Netherlands — the world’s most bike-friendly city — to Seoul, South Korea, and all over China, bike-sharing services are sprouting up worldwide. Mumbai joined the list last August. Called I Love Cycling, the initiative aims to provide citizens with a bike-sharing service by way of a mobile app, “ilovecycling”. You can rent a bicycle for just ₹30 an hour from any of the six kiosks set up around the city. For a lot of people working and living in the city, this initiative has opened them up to a new, hassle-free way of travelling that also serves to lower their carbon footprint. The idea behind this initiative was to change people’s opinions about cycling and make it a trend among citizens. Citizens have already caught on to the ease of working out with a bicycle, and the low rates have encouraged rentals. It’s not unusual to see people lining up to rent bikes at the kiosks in the early mornings and late evenings. Fitness experts and enthusiasts seem to be quite happy with how many people have begun cycling to exercise and stay fit. Jay Dudhane, a Mumbaibased fitness expert says, “Bicycling is a healthy, fun, lowimpact form of exercise. Moreover, it is good for all ages and makes for a good muscle workout, while increasing one’s stamina and strength as well. But most importantly, it is an easy exercise — once you learn to cycle, it is hard to forget. This is a very good initiative and with enthusiastic response from people, it can help build a healthier society and improve the quality of life ”