Health-conscious people turn to cycling for physical fitness

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 25

The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically curtailed physical and recreational activities of health-conscious people who have now turned to cycling to remain fit.

As various installations are being opened one after another during the unlocking of the lockdown, public gardens continue to remain out of bound for the public. Health-conscious people have found cycling as a safe way to exercise as cycling on roads or in public places does not violate the social distancing norm.

Such people can be seen cycling on internal roads of posh colonies in general and the railway track around Trillium Mall in particular.

Harjinder Singh, a shopkeeper, said, “People have turned to cycling as they consider it a safe bet to remain fit in these Covid-19 times. So, cycling gained prominence during the unlocking period. Following the Covid-19 norms, people are abstaining from going out, but cyclists are encouraged to move out.

He observed that people from posh areas of the city were buying cycles for exercise and recreational purposes and for going out of houses to break the boredom. Apart from that, the sale of cycles has also increased.

He said despite a cut in the income of people, rising lay-offs and fossil fuel prices, people were not turning to cycles in their daily routine. The volume of automobile vehicles had partially increased on all roads.

Rameshinder Singh Sandhu, a young travel enthusiast and writer, who loves cycling does not forget the sightseeing places he enjoyed in Chicago, Paris, New York and Vancouver while cycling.

“I have been cycling for the past four to five years but only early in the morning when there is a very low volume of traffic on the roads. After all, during the peak hour, cycling becomes dangerous. We need safer tracks to encourage cycling in the city. Cycling is an eco-friendly transportation option, raising the fitness levels of local residents.”

He felt until the safety of cyclists was ensured on roads, many would continue to avoid cycling. He questioned: “If several cities in the south can have dedicated cycling tracks, why can’t we have them in Amritsar?”

Tourists and school and college-going youngsters must be encouraged to turn to cycling. The step will go a long way in reducing air pollution.