Cycle picks up pace at PAU

Ludhiana: Students of Punjab Agricultural University (PAY) have found a new passion this summer and a city based leading cycle company has helped them follow their passion. If there are more than 80 takers a day who want to cycle around in the city, generating awareness about sustainable transport then 25 of them are from PAU. The company Rakh Bagh is helping the students fulfill their passion.
Panchram and Deepak Chopra who are dealing with the project at PAU said, “Several people are demanding these cycles for exercise in the morning and evening and even wanting to generate an awareness about protecting the environment. But as the gate number 2 of PAU is closed since last week so hardly people have come up to peddle the cycle. On certain days the number goes down due to such technical reasons. Moreso, it also depends according to weather and holidays, if the weather is fine , there are more takers. On a breezy and cloudy day the number shoots up.”
Providing more information the students said that there were 65 cycles at PAU and 90 in Rakh Bagh which include simple,with gear , without gears and electrical. “The object of this drive is to provide easy access to the cycles to the students and fun lovers to promote the habit of cycling.” they added. The company has collaborated with the PAU to promote the habit of cycling among residents and students. A manual locking stand has been installed for the cycles near gate number 2 where a customer has to submit an I card and pay afterwards.
Earlier there used to be four points at PAU, one near gate no 3, library and girls hostel ber but gradually all the cyclists enthusiasts started thronging at gate no 2 and all other points are now shut. The company issue the cycles on a rent of Rs 30 per hour. Those who have rights to the PAU campus even at night can get the cycle on rent from 5 am to 9 am and from 5 pm to 8 pm. The rider can’t go outside the PAU campus with the cycle. Dr Sunil Verma, veterinary officer who resides in Haibowal Kalan, and has been regularly cycling from the last two years said , “People these days are more health conscious. It is not only walkers even kids like to walk and peddle. They have updated cycles for all age groups. They have more area in Rakh bagh but people who are coming from a distant to peddle feel glad about initiative.’