Amin Hajee, best-known for his role in movie Lagaan, rode along with the employees to support them as they took the lead to create an environment-friendly society.
On the occasion of the World Earth Day, and to commemorate the World Bicycle Day that was observed on April 19, a unique event was organised by the Smart Commute Foundation – Pioneers of Cycle2Work – along with Gilbarco Veeder-Root, whose employees have adopted cycling as one of the modes of commuting. Amin Hajee, best-known for his role in movie Lagaan, rode along with the employees to support them as they took the lead to create an environment-friendly society. dna's Forum Gandhi talks to five avid cyclists, who cycle to work everyday, about the issues they face.
Amin Hajee, 47
Profession: Actor/Director
Cycling record: 50km per day
Number of years: "I've never stopped cycling since childhood."
Issues: "Cycling comes with a lot of stigma. Unfortunately in this country, cycle is the vehicle of the poor. I am lucky, however, that I can work without any formalities while many others cannot."
Firoza Suresh, 44
Profession: Marketing manager at Firefox Bicycles
Cycling record: At least 40 km per day
Number of years: "I have been cycling continuously since 2009. That is my only mode of transport. I don't own a vehicle besides that."
Issues: "The biggest problem is the paver blocks. Once removed, they are fixed unevenly, making it difficult for us to cycle. I am not in favour of cycling lanes. I think we can co-exist with other motor vehicles."
Mirza Saaib Beg, 27
Profession: Lawyer at SEBI
Cycling record: 70km per day (from Powai to Worli sea face to BKC in the morning and then back to Powai from BKC in the evening).
Number of years: "Earlier, I used to cycle for leisure, but have been doing so continuously for the last three years. Recently, along with Rotary Club of Worli, I participated in a fund-raiser and cycled 3,000km across India."
Issues: "The issue I usually face is the traffic in the evening. Besides this, the condition of the roads can be a little hazardous."
Ishmeet Singh, 45
Profession: Business head, Vodafone India
Cycling record: 40km per day
Number of years: "I have been cycling for over 10 years now."
Issues: "My biggest issue is the weather. I make sure that whatever organisation I work with, it has a shower facility or else it would be difficult for us to survive."
Name: Keyur Kapadia, 35
Profession: Engineer
Cycling record: 30km per day
Number of years: Five years
Issues: "A problem I face regularly is the fear of being knocked down because people do not abide by traffic rules at all. The second issue I face is that of parking. If a bike and car can co-exist, why cannot a cycle be a part of it too?"
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "cyclists")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}