From: b sabha <bcsabha.kal...@gmail.com>
http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31821&articlexml=Mumbaikars-take-the-cycle2work-challenge-25062016012003 Jun 25 2016 : Mirror (Mumbai) Mumbaikars take the `cycle2work' challenge Alka Dhupkar ? ? Rains fail to dampen spirits of cyclists who reached their offices from areas in and around the city including Thane, Borivali, Kandivali, Mulund; participants vow to take up the routine every last Friday of the month For Mumbai Port Trust employee Darshan Kalarickal (43), Friday morning was different. He did not have to take the usual autorickshaw from his house in Char Bungalows, Andheri, to the railway station nor did he have to jostle for space in the overcrowded local train He even reached his office near the Government Post Office at Fort, earlier than usual. What drastic and costly lifestyle change did he make? He just rode a bicycle to work. "I have heard people complaining about how bigger vehicles curse cyclists all the time but I came across none of that. In fact, people were curious than annoyed, and some even showed me thumbs-ups along the route," said Darshan. One of the participants of the `cycle2work' campaign launched by the Smart Commute Foundation (SCF), founded by Firoza Suresh, Darshan is now a changed man. He plans to be a regular participant of the campaign, agreeing to ride the 56 kilometre (two-way) stretch every last Friday of the month. "To ask people to ride cycles to work everyday is a difficult proposition especially with most offices not having proper shower facilities for them to freshen up. We are in talks with the BMC Commissioner who has sought a report on the necessary infrastructural policy changes required," said Firoza. Darshan is among many who participated from Thane, Borivali, Kandivali, Mulund and other areas in and around Mumbai. Some even marked their attendance on the `Smart Commute' app an Android app developed by Chetan Temker, another active cycler, for this purpose. Even the morning rains in different parts of the city delayed their starts, it failed to dampen their spirits. The participants took care to ensure their bicycle's visibility to other vehicles on the road by employing a variety of measures including installing front and backlights, reflectors under the seat and sticking glow-in-the-dark stickers on the tyre rims. Meanwhile in Ghatkopar, a group in association with the BMC, has been renting out cycles on a trial basis for a daily rent of Rs five. According to Kisan Gopale, who founded the Cycle Parivhan Seva in Bhatwadi, Ghatkopar, the service has received a good response. [http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/NasData//PUBLICATIONS/MIRROR/MUMBAI/2016/06/25/Photographs/012/25_06_2016_012_003_008.jpg]<http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31821&articlexml=Mumbaikars-take-the-cycle2work-challenge-25062016012003#>
