New Delhi: Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, held a meeting with leading cycle manufacturers today to discuss strategies for promoting cycling across India. The meeting focused on incentivizing cycling, boosting participation, and enhancing the impact of the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative.
Highlighting his personal passion for cycling, Dr. Mandaviya said, “I used to cycle regularly to Parliament. Cycling is a solution to multiple issues, including obesity and pollution. We need to make cycling fashionable, link it to health benefits, and market it effectively.”
During the discussion, the Minister urged cycle manufacturers to introduce tangible incentives to encourage people of all age groups to take up cycling. Suggestions included:
- Carbon credits for cyclists
- Free helmets for new buyers
- Exclusive membership perks for regular riders
“We need to create a cycling culture, not just sell cycles,” he emphasized. “By offering incentives, we can encourage school children, office-goers, and the general public to make cycling a daily habit.”
The meeting saw participation from leading cycle brands such as Hero Cycles, AlphaVector 91 Cycles, Decathlon, and Cult.fit. The industry leaders pledged to support the Sundays on Cycle initiative by exploring innovative ways to engage with the cycling community.
“We have to sell the culture, not just the product,” said Rohit Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer of Hero Cycles. Vikas Jain, Associate Vice President of AlphaVector India Pvt. Ltd., called the meeting an “eye-opener” and lauded the government’s commitment to promoting cycling.
Launched by Dr. Mandaviya at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium on December 17, 2023, the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has gained momentum. Over the past nine weeks, cycling events have been organized in 3,500 locations across India, with participation exceeding 2 lakh riders from Jammu & Kashmir to Tamil Nadu and Kolkata to Aurangabad.
The initiative is jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), and MY Bharat. Participants have included Indian Army jawans, CRPF and ITBP personnel, India Post employees, as well as sports stars and celebrities like Lovlina Borgohain, Sangram Singh, Rahul Bose, and Gul Panag.
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