State Transport Commissioner Bhaskar Rao is among the 70 cyclists who are covering 900 km in eight days. The rally was flagged off from Koramangala stadium in Bangalore at 7:30 am on Wednesday and it reached Mysore at 3:30 pm.
As soon as the cyclists reached toll gate on Mysore-Bangalore Road, officials of the Regional Transport Authority and the general public accorded a warm welcome for Rao by presenting him with a sandalwood garland. RTOs Siddappa Kallera and Janardhanswamy Shetty were present on the occasion. Talking to reporters, the Transport commissioner said use of vehicles daily not only damaged environment but also people’s health. Bicycles that are environment-friendly should be used by all.
Officials should use bi-cycles as was mandatory in Western countries.
After covering 160 km, the cyclists will stay overnight in Mysore and will proceed to Hassan on Thursday at 6:30 am. They will reach Ooty via Madikeri and Sultan Bateri.
The team includes 12 women (two doctors) and most of the participants are around 35 years. But Rao is an exception as he is over 45.
“I am confident of completing 900 km in eight days. I had a special love for bicycles since my college days,” he said adding that plans were afoot to organise similar programmes to raise environmental awareness among people.
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