Cyclists reclaim capital’s streets

First Sunday of every month to be celebrated as cycling day

ISLAMABAD:

Dozens of cyclists took over the sensitive Red Zone of the federal capital on Sunday afternoon as they pedalled from the intersection of Seventh Avenue on Jinnah Avenue to D-Chowk in what was the first ‘Cycling Sunday’ of the city.

Organised by United Nations Development Programme’s Urban Platform, the Islamabad Cycling Association and Critical Mass Islamabad with official support from the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration, people of all ages wore helmets and face masks and followed other precautionary measures against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) as they rode the near-empty Jinnah Avenue, which is normally full of fast-driving cars during the weekdays.

Those who did not own a bicycle or could not bring their cycles, the facility was provided for them to rent them.

Youngster Mamoon Rasheed said that he had especially bought a cycle to participate in the event, adding that from now on, no weekend will ever be boring in the federal capital.

"The feeling of cycling in the city centre is something which I aspired to regenerate through this event,” said Naveed Iftikhar, an economist and urban policy advisor, who was among the architects of the event.

“Such events signify people's will to cycle in cities," he said, noting that people even came from other provinces to participate in the event.

Haroon, the secretary of the Islamabad Cycling Association, said, "I really enjoyed cycling in the city. We usually go off-road for cycling events but I hope that such activities also take place within cities across Pakistan."

"Women have very limited mobility options within the city,” said cyclist Sundas Shahid, adding, “This event shows that if dedicated lanes are made for cycles it will promote women's mobility and empowerment."

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat, who personally participated in the event, expressed his complete support for cycling in the federal capital. He added that the event will deliver a clear message that the roads of the federal capital are safe for bicycles.

"We are committed to advocating for dedicated cycling tracks on the roads in Islamabad," he added.

Earlier, while inaugurating the event, Federal Minister for Interprovincial Coordination Dr Fahmida Mirza said that cycling was essential for mitigating climate change and hoped that it can be promoted as an urban mobility option.

Later, while distributing prizes at the finish line of a cycle race organised by the Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF) at the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) further said that the PCF plans to hold a 'Peace Road Race' from Peshawar to Afghanistan.

"PCF should organise a cycle race from Peshawar to Afghanistan which would send a message of peace in the region,” she said, adding that the government will also support the federation in this endeavour.

As many as 110 cyclists from Afghanistan and Pakistan had participated in the road race which was held from Islamabad to Murree. Rizwan of Sui Southern Gas bagged the first place, while Fasihullah of Afghanistan and Hunzila of Gilgit-Baltistan took second and third places, respectively.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2020.