Life is like riding a bicycle. To
keep your balance, you must
keep moving. – Albert Einstein
It is common knowledge now that burning of fossil fuels – coal, petroleum, etc., has cursed the living Earth and has punctured holes in the ozone layer. People in China, and particularly in the Netherlands are avid cyclists. In Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, people have rejected automobiles to the extent of creating ‘cycling chaos’ (jams). It is a common sight to see mothers cycling with their toddlers sitting in front of the bicycles in this city. And there are cycle vans which ferry students to school.
Till a few years ago, in India, a bicycle was considered a poor man’s mode of conveyance.The novice boy or girl learnt the art of ‘half-pedal’ first in the ‘masculine’ Hero cycles. Early in the morning, milkmen and newspaper vendors were invariably seen riding a bicycle to offer their services at our
doorsteps.
Nowadays, cycling is not looked down upon. People clad in swanky gel-padded cycling shorts, hand-gloves, geared up in night-safe reflective helmets, laser LED lights navigate the streets of the city, either solo, or in twos or still larger groups. Even the ‘pump’ to inflate the tyre tube has undergone a change. One can just use a much easier foot pump instead of the hand-pump.
Regular cycling is the mantra to stay fit, healthy and youthful, even when the years add some salt and pepper to our hair. Cyclists are silently contributing to the environment for there is zero emission of toxic fumes and hence, absolutely zero pollution. Cycling as a hobby is dirt cheap (just the cost of the bicycle and its accessories). It won’t burn a hole in your pocket, no matter how much you ride one. In fact, the more you ride, the chances of you suffering from common urban lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension will be less. Hospital bills will be next to nil. Plus, it reduces vehicular traffic snarls, especially during peak hours.
Regular cycling is the mantra to stay fit, healthy and youthful, even when the years add some salt and pepper to our hair. Cyclists are silently contributing to the environment for there is zero emission of toxic fumes and hence, absolutely zero pollution. Cycling as a hobby is dirt cheap (just the cost of the bicycle and its accessories). It won’t burn a hole in your pocket, no matter how much you ride one. In fact, the more you ride, the chances of you suffering from common urban lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension will be less. Hospital bills will be next to nil. Plus, it reduces vehicular traffic snarls, especially during peak hours.
The cycle is a vehicle of self motivation for those who have hit rock bottom in their lives. Each pedal that you push builds your strength.
Cycling is all about maintaining a fine balance as you ride. Likewise, it teaches you to balance in life. It is about discovering ‘yourself’ through the journey of life on wheels. It instils confidence as you ride solo on deserted roads or at nocturnal hours. You have to push forward against the gusty winds. The real life stories of paracyclists and quadruple amputee cyclists are those of grit, determination and endurance. They are the perennial springs of inspiration.
All Image sources : Pixabay
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Much love
@razeiv
