‘Cycle Baba’ pedals across 125 countries for environmental awareness

Dr Raj Phanden, also known as ‘Cycle Baba’, hails from Bhuna town in Haryana’s Fatehabad district. An Ayurvedic doctor by profession, Dr Raj has undertaken a remarkable global journey, cycling over 130,000 kilometres across 125 countries so far.

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His mission is not just about adventure but about spreading awareness on environmental issues such as global warming, climate change and pollution. Under his campaign “Wheels for Greens”, he encourages people worldwide to adopt cycling for both personal health and the planet’s well-being.

On the occasion of World Bicycle Day, observed on June 3, Dr Raj emphasised that celebrating the day is not enough—people must actually cycle. “Cycling just five kilometres a day can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack by up to 50 per cent,” he said, urging people to incorporate it into their daily routine.

Dr Raj began his cycling journey on September 5, 2016, from Bhuna, Fatehabad, flagged off by members of the Lions Club. His ambitious goal is to cycle through 196 countries by 2030. His route so far has included India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Oman, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Macau, the Philippines, Georgia, the UK, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Australia and many more.

According to Dr Raj, he has cycled across 15 countries in Europe and even reached Scotland. Due to visa limitations, which allow only a three-month stay in the Schengen region, he exited and re-entered Europe through Scotland. His journey has also taken him through parts of Africa. Despite facing challenges like visa delays and being forced to return to India during the Covid lockdown, he never gave up. Indian embassies across the world have supported him in securing travel permissions.

Dr Raj got the name ‘Cycle Baba’ while he was in the Philippines. The Indian ambassador there referred to him as “Dr Raj Cycle Baba” in an official letter, explaining that since he travelled by cycle and lived simply like a sage, the name seemed fitting. Inspired, Raj adopted the name for his social media platforms as well.

According to him, the environmental crisis is a global issue, and only collective effort can solve it. Through his unique journey, ‘Cycle Baba’ continues to inspire people to choose sustainability, one pedal at a time.