Towards a cleaner future

It all began after Prabhakar Rao CM saw ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. He was so taken in by the documentary on climate change that he decided to do everything to propagate environmental-friendly measures.

“I chose cycling as it is one of the best modes of paying back to Mother Nature. It not only helps save fossil fuel but is also environment-friendly. It also has various benefits like keeping one fit and saving money. In cities, it can be the best solution for traffic jams,” says Prabhakar Rao, who is known as ‘GoGreen Rao’ after he set up ‘GoGreenGoCycling group’ a while ago.

The one-man initiative has now become a group of 3,000 plus members from Bengaluru. They meet regularly on Sundays and cycle around the City to popularise it. Prabhakar, who worked in a garment export company, quit that job two years ago to popularise environmental-friendly measures under ‘GoGreenGoCycling.’ His journey was anything but smooth.

It took months for people to understand and take to cycling in a big way. He has also taken his car off the road and hit the pedal to prove a point.

The group has active members who not only regularly cycle in groups on weekends but also cycle to work. Tahir Hussain, an IT professional, confesses it is the hike in petrol price that inspired him to cycle to work every day. “I cycle 60 km to and from work and trust me, I couldn’t feel healthier. I am proud that I am not contributing to the increasing pollution levels,” says Tahir.

Naresh Khandai, another IT professional, adds, “I am not only productive on the road but at work as well. I’ve also managed to inspire a few people to take to cycling.” Bijoy VP, another professional, admits cycling is becoming infectious. “I take my four-year-old son along with me on the cycle. I now drop him at a play school near my office and then head to work,” he adds. While the initial adherence to the group came from those committed to cycling to work, there were also those who thought that its health benefits were unmatched. A medical practitioner, Dr Gayathri Devi, says cycling on weekends leaves her feeling fit. “I make time for cycling on the weekends although I would like to do it every day. I do a bit of yoga in the morning on weekdays but it’s cycling for me on weekends,” she says. Juzer Kagalwala, a businessman, who cycles 15 km from 6 am to 7 am every morning, pitches in, “It’s the best form of exercise for the mind, body and soul.”

The oldest in the group is 83-year-old Bylahalli Raghunath Janardhan, who took to cycling only after the age of 64 years and has been pedalling for 19 years now. “I ride 55 km everyday and have also managed to take to marathon running and trekking in a big way. I had been diagnosed with epilepsy but I feel fit after I started cycling,” he shares.

Cycling helps lose weight slowly but steadily, believes Hemanth Palleti, an employee of Food Corporation of India. “I came to Bengaluru only three months ago and began cycling almost immediately and now I’ve lost five kilograms,” he says. Cycling is a passion that is emerging as new credo. “It’s also a great way to expand contacts and meet new people,” says Shantha Kumar K. “I meet a lot of new people and exploring the City with like-minded people and promoting a good cause makes the effort worth it. We cyclists also don’t face any parking hassles,” he says.

Rajiv K Nagaraja, another professional, finds it a great platform to socialise with people. Cycling is also a stress buster for some like Chidambaram, an IT professional, who says, “I cycle long distances and it’s a great way to get the stress off.” Cycling is the future, thinks Srikanth Gururaj. “With growing traffic and increasing pollution levels, I see no way out except pedalling,” he says.

Might seem like an impossible task but a lot of people have begun hitting the pedal to beat the bumper-to- bumper crawl and reach their destinations. ‘GoGreenGoCycling group’ can be contacted on [e-mail]