Cycling a great way to rejuvenate self

(Left) Dr Seema Dande, well-known gynaecologist who takes part in several cycling races in Nagpur and makes it a point to take her children along with her to participate in those transmitting urge for fitness to her children. (Center) Dr Dhananjay Bokare, noted Urologist who along with Dr Rajesh Singhvi and Dr Shailesh Nisal did voyage to Manali to Leh covering a distance of 480 km on cycle. It had involved crossing high level passes starting from Rohtang pass to Tanglang La at 17,500 feet. Also he travelled from Pune to Goa. (Right) Dr Warsha Dhawale, past President of Indian Medical Association along with her colleague, noted gynaecologist Dr Suvarna Joshi daily cover 50 kms on cycle.

Running and walking are seen as sports activities for youngsters while cycling has no age bar. Rider himself is the engine of it. It is half machine and half flesh. World over cities in European countries and other developed ones, they are focussing on cycle, giving lot much importance to bicycle by creating cycle tracks, dedicated roads to do cycling. India is becoming more and more urban. It is also important that local bodies should promote cycling as a way to fitness. Lot of people nowadays have started doing cycling. Especially doctors who are considered as more prone to various diseases leading to deaths have started doing expeditions.

They know the medical benefits of it so naturally common people should take leaf out of their books. We don’t need to hesitate as they are not giving any medicine, just inspiring us to follow what our forefathers did, use the bicycle. We have Dr Amit Samarth, the great cyclist who is the second in the world completing 5,000 km cycling called Race Across America in 12 days. He is the seventh in the world completing world’s largest bicycle race of 9,100 kms called Trans Siberian Cycle race being run between Moscow and Vladivostok. Now he himself is promoting cycling. He has started his academy, named Miles N Milers Endurance Sports Academy.

He has also come up with Active Nagpur Plan and ProHEALTH Foundation to promote cycling. He is training people to take part in various ultracycling races including Race Across America. Dr Amit Samarth feels, lack of physical activity has already been declared as one of the major public health problems for the entire world by World Health Organisation. “People in Nagpur are adopting cycle as a way to commuting office, fitness, long distance cycle ride. Nagpur is a designated smart city and bicycle will be playing an important role in it,” pointed out Dr Samarth.

Dr Rajesh Swarnakar, noted Pulmonologist has been promoting cycling in society. He distributes cycles to the enthusiasts. His two patients suffering from asthama pedals 150 kms, thanks to encouragement provided by Dr Swarnakar. Dr Swarnakar tells medical benefits of cycling:

It only takes two to four hours a week to achieve a general improvement to your health. Cycling is: n Low impact – it causes less strain and injuries than most other forms of exercise.

A good muscle workout. n Easy – unlike some other sports, cycling does not require high levels of physical skill. n Good for strength and stamina.

Time-efficient – as a mode of transport, cycling replaces sedentary (sitting) time spent driving motor vehicles or using trams, trains or buses with healthy exercise.

‘This should be done at Government level’ Dr Amit Samarth felt that Government should streamline certain things to promote cycling. n More play grounds, play areas, dedicated roads to be made available Sports infrastructure not just for some few elite athletes but for the entire general population.

Education system needs to provide more emphasis on sports and create a more balance in between sports and academics. We have an epidemic of large number of children who are scoring 90 per cent marks but can’t even run 1 km properly. n Government should make the roads safer for cyclist and for pedestrians. n City should lead the way by also restricting the number of automobiles being sold every year.

Deepanti becomes first bicycle Mayor from city Nagpur now has a Bicycle Mayor to accelerate the city's approach to cycling. Dutch social enterprise BYCS (pronounced Bicycle Space), which works to create and scale breakthrough new solutions for cycling made Nagpur’s Deepanti Pal as Bicycle Mayor. She will be the first from city to get the honour. She was a double Super Randonneur last year, having completed 200, 300, 400 and 600-km brevets twice. Her initial focus in Nagpur will be safety of bicyclists, commute more and earn more, insurance of bicyclists

Dr Swapna Khanzode: Cycling was introduced to her by Dr Amit Samarth about four years ago. As she started doing it, she realised that it was the best mental exercise apart from physical relaxation. As a critical care physician, the stress of dealing with life threatening diseases is overwhelming. But while cycling, she eventually felt the mind clearing out and calmness coming in. Cycling to her is a great solace.

Dr Ajay Deshpande, noted ENT Surgeon first came up with an idea to form IMA cycle club. The idea was cycles to be made available to all doctors at IMA office premises, so that they would pick up one, ride wherever they want.