In Himachal Pradesh, cycling culture on upswing amid pandemic

MANALI: With an increasing number of people taking to pedalling to stay fit amid the Covid-19 pandemic, sale of bicycles is on the rise across Himachal Pradesh. Cycling for short distances also keeps them away from relatively higher chances of catching the infection in public transport.
According to sellers, bicycle sales have increased significantly since April this year. Be it children, youth or elderly, all are buying bicycles.Since outdoor sports activities like cricket, football, volleyball, badminton etc stand halted since March, youth and children have discovered their interest in cycling. They make beelines on roads and narrow trails every morning and evening. Less crowded roads are another reason for the cycling culture catching up in the state.
“This is the beginning of cycling culture in Himachal, which will keep increasing. It seems like return of old times. Bicycle sale has jumped manifold in these three months,” a sports bicycle seller Rajeev Sharma said, who also operates an adventure tour company.
“Tourism trade is at a standstill due to the Covid-19 crisis, cycle sale is up like never before. This is a good sign. People have now become more health conscious and caring towards the nature. The roads also have thin traffic, which also allows them to pedal safely,” he added.
Another bicycle seller Naveen Barongpa said a major part of the buyer is students, who have not much to do at home and were looking for outdoor activity option. “If you wake up early in morning, you will see a large number of cyclists sweating on the steep roads. Some are going pushing their limits and doing adventurous biking on mountain trails,” he said.
Most of the youth go for sports cycles, along with helmets and masks. Even the rich have parked their luxury cars and are peddling to their workplaces. Shopkeepers, government employees, some cops and bureaucrats have also become a part of the rising cycling culture of Himachal.
Ghanshyam Sharma, a shopkeeper, said he and some of his friends have been pedalling to their shops mid-May. “Shop is about 7km from my home. If I have enough time, I prefer cycling. Many other shopkeepers are also doing so. No traffic congestion also encouraged us to adopt the pollution-free mode of transport that keeps us healthy as well. It’s a difficult time and both mental and physical health is crucial now,” he said.