Cycling in a different perspective
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Cycling in Sri Lanka takes place in two different formats presently — professional and recreational, with purposes of rehabilitation to be introduced under the auspices of the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka. The most popular so far has been professional cycling where most recently at the South Asian Games, Sri Lanka succeeded in winning a number of coveted medals. Against this background where cycling either takes place as a professional sport both at national and international levels, a new and adventurous form of cycling has been slowly but surely making a very noticeable entry into the fray.
This is none other than recreational cycling which has opened new vistas of health, fitness and fun for the people across all genders and ages. The most noteworthy element is the corporate and professional sector belonging to the middle class, taking up this hobby with a passion. Especially in the capital city of Colombo and other key cities around the country, one would spot both locals and of course visiting tourists exploring the magnificence of Sri Lanka from atop a saddle.
With all of the above benefits, led by the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka and supported by recreational cycling groups like the Pedal Pushers Cyclists, Wroom, BoraluBoyz, Action Lanka, Colombo Mountain Bikers, as well as the Sri Lanka Traffic Police, a fervent plea is extended to the driving community at large. This plea is to respect the cyclists and ‘Share the Road with Cyclists, so that safety can be assured to the cyclists. Safety is fundamental in this form of transport and empathy by drivers is crucial.
Dr. Amal Harsh de Silva, President of the Sri Lanka Cycling Federation expressed his views as “cycling is a must in our fast developing country. We have always loved this sport and supported it at a professional level. Now we believe the time has come for the sport to transform also into a recreational passion; one that will herald a new beginning for a sustainable development in our country and in creating a healthy and fit nation of Sri Lankans”.
He further stated, “As a mean of saving the energy resource of a country, cycling features at the top of the list. For developing countries such as ours, controlling the wastage of energy is paramount for the nation’s sustainability and growth. The simple logic is that if more people practice cycling as their mode of travel from point A to B, then the requirement of energy will be that much more controlled. This will support the country’s rapid progression in leaps and bounds.
The most fundamental of the benefits however stem from the fact that cycling will create a faster and non-congested road network, which will provide someone with the ability to reach his or her destination faster with more convenience. The time wastage on the road at unnecessary traffic blocks will be minimal.” Emerging as an exciting and adventurous mode of health and fitness, cycling is accepted around the world as a very popular activity. In certain countries cycling paths are a commonplace on the roads and some countries like Germany most recently has even started creating cycling highways, connecting multiple cities.
Cycling, especially in developing nations, is an alternate mode of transport, and is recognised as a viable option in the country’s quest to transform from an industrial nation to a sustainable one that is environmentally friendly and sensitive to climate change. Incentives are offered for people changing over to cycling, in view of the positive impact it creates on the sustainable development priority of a progressive country. Cycling above all else is a perfect solution to enhance the health and fitness, especially in an aging population. The positive thinking, physical exercise, maintenance of fitness levels will in fact reduce the burden on a country, providing free medical care by the state.