Nearly a hundred cyclists of Mangaluru ushered in the spirit of Independence by riding through the thoroughfares of the city here on Tuesday.
Members of Mangalore Bicycle Club (MBC) and Mangalore Cycling Club (MACC) had planned the ride to mark Independence Day as well as to spread awareness about the benefits of cycling. Wearing their club jerseys and helmet, the cyclists began the ride from the City Corporation Office at Lal Bagh. The cyclists went through Bejai and assembled in front of the War Memorial at Kadri Hills to pay tributes to the war veterans.
Thereafter, they moved through Nanthoor, Kadri, Kankanady, Mangaladevi, Hoige Bazaar, Bunder, Kudroli, Mathadakani, M.G. Road, PVS, K.S. Rao Road and Hampanakatte before joining the official celebrations at the Nehru Maidan.
Tying tri-colour on their bikes and shouting slogans, including Bharat Maata ki Jai, the cyclists drew the attention of people en route. MACC member Prasanna Kumar and his sister Prathima Bhat had made the arrangements for the flags to be tied to the bikes.
MBC president Donald Menezes, secretary Ganesh Nayak, MACC convener Anil Shet, senior riders Vernon Saldanha, Shyamprasad Nayak, Anil Shet Raikar, Kishan Bangera, S.I. Mubin, Preetham Sharma, P.N. Ramaraj and others were present.
Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Ganesh Nayak said that the club has been organising Independence Day rides for the last couple of years not only to imbibe the spirit of Independence among riders but also among the general public. Mr. Anil Shet said that as a group of riders, the club felt it is its duty to spread the Independence Day message loud and clear.
Both the clubs are actively involved in promoting non-motorised transport to reduce carbon footprints as well as improve riders’ fitness for many years in the city.