For cycling enthusiasts in Islamabad, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is a harbinger of glad tidings for the apex civic body has come up with plans to set up cycling tracks or lanes at more major avenues to improve the environment of the city.
To enable people to go for cycling-cum-exercise mode, cycling lanes are being set up.
“A cycling lane at the Jinnah Avenue has already been added, whereas marking of dedicated lanes on Margalla Road, Constitution Avenue, Srinagar, and Kashmir Highways are in the offing,” a senior official of the civic body speaking to the media said on Monday.
He said the initiative would help lessen the traffic rush and eventually promote an eco-friendly environment.
It would also provide an opportunity for the citizens of Islamabad to opt for an inexpensive means of mobility.
The official said cycling tracks were also being built in public parks to extensively promote healthy activity.
So far, two lanes each were added in E-7 and F-8 sector parks and one was made at Kachnar Park of sector I-8.
Work on building more tracks in the sectoral parks was underway, he added.
Commenting on the initiative, a resident of sector G-7 Ajmal Khan appreciated the CDA and said that the cycling trend had vanished across the country during the past few decades due to the availability of cars and buses.
He pointed out the unprecedented popularity gained by the ride-sharing services within a short span of time, which did indicate that the public had been less concerned about their health by unintentionally ignoring this pro-health activity.
Ajmal said, “I still ride a bicycle to university and plan to continue to do so for the sake of my health.”
He urged CDA to launch awareness campaigns to promote cycling culture. Shayan Saeed, another student of intermediate, suggested that cycling was a better option for teenage students who had to manage daily affairs with meager resources.
“We, the youth, must encourage this mode of transportation by keeping in mind the climate change factor,” he added.
Dr Shafeeq, a Cardiologist expressing his opinion stated that every fourth person out of ten, was a victim of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular and diabetes that had somehow become serious of concern for the medical fraternity.
Stressing exercise to avoid chronic ailments, he said, “Cycling is one of the best forms of aerobic exercises that help burn extra calories, improving metabolism, and balancing blood sugar level.
Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) spokesperson said its education unit was fully cooperating with some private organisations and providing assistance to them in their activities with regard to such campaigns.
He said the cycling Sunday-an initiative of Granna.com- was being observed in the federal capital on regular basis to promote a healthy culture.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2021.
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