Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently held a meeting to discuss the current state of cycling in India and plan for its future growth. The meeting included several cyclists and bicycle mayors from different cities. Santhana Selvan, the bicycle mayor of Hyderabad, was one of the participants.
During the meeting on October 24, the Sports Minister emphasized the importance of cycling as a sustainable and healthy way to travel. He also expressed his commitment to promoting cycling culture and improving conditions for cyclists in India.
Participants at the meeting highlighted that while cycling is essential for many people’s livelihoods, especially in rural areas, it is also gaining popularity as a healthy lifestyle choice in urban India. They discussed the health benefits of cycling, particularly as a response to rising lifestyle diseases in the country. They also called for a mass cycling movement across India. One suggestion was to integrate cycling into the FIT India movement, which could encourage more children and young people to adopt cycling for fitness.
Santhana Selvan, the bicycle mayor of Hyderabad, praised the Minister’s efforts. He said that the push to include cycling in the FIT India Movement is inspiring. He believes that such support can motivate people like him, who work to promote cycling, to continue their efforts in building a large cycling community.