Some Prime Ministers ride to office on bicycles, why not we?

Prime Minister of Netherlands is Mark Rutte and he arrives at his office and goes home after work on a bicycle. In 2012, he shocked the Iranian delegation when he arrived at work riding a bicycle. In Australia, Tony Abbot, the new Prime Minister also rode to work through the suburbs of Sydney on a bicycle.

These are a couple of examples and, if people who can influence others set a trend like using bicycles for traveling short distances, it would be a boon to the world that is weighed down by matters relating to protection of the environment. And, in order to bring home the concept, bicycle companies should market their products more aggressively – they could rope in celebrities of the movie world.
But, powered two wheelers are the current rage as one can understand from the popular brands that vie for grabbing eyeballs via the audio-visual medium called the television but, sadly, no one bothers about the bicycle which also is a two wheeler.
Powered two wheelers like scooters or motorbikes mean pollution of the environment due to the obnoxious fumes of burnt fuel whereas the cycle apart from being environment friendly, provides exercise to the body. It helps to tone up the muscles and build up stamina.
It is not that we do not see bicycles – schoolkids use them if the school is nearby. In some villages, these vehicles are in use by the old-fashioned people but, the youngsters believe in keeping up with the latest trends and zoom about on motorbikes that they have seen used by their favorite movie stars. The roads may still be rough and through fields but, the riders are not much worried – they want power and, power they must have.
When it comes to cities, bicycles are practically nonexistent. In cities like Bangalore and Pune, one can see bike lanes on the main roads dedicated to bicycles – at least there are signboards to that effect. But, people are afraid to use these lanes because of encroachment by the more powerful two and even three and four wheelers. It’s all about might is right.(to be continued …)

(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)
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