Hyderabad Bicycling Club Press Conference

HBC to leverage its new position on World Cycling Alliance to fast track cycling in India

Manohar elected to the steering board of WCA

HBC to host 'Tour de India' on the lines of Tour de France

Hyderabad, June 4th, 2014: The annual World Cycling Conference viz., Velo-City Global 2014, which took place between May 27th to 30th, 2014 at Adelaide, Australia and attended by about 650 delegates from all over the World was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Stephen Mullighan, Minister for Transport, South Australian Government and Hon’ble Stephen Yarwood, Lord Mayor of Adelaide.

One day prior to the Conference ie on 26th May, the University of South Australia and European Cyclists Federation (ECF) jointly organised the Scientists for Cycling Collequium to promote the art of cycling in a more scientific manner and to develop and spread the best technology and automation practices in cycling all over the World.

Mr D V Manohar, Chairman of the Hyderabad Bicycling Club was invited to address both the Velocity Global 2014 on 27th May as well as the Scientists for Cycling Colloquium on 26th May. Both his speeches were very well received and appreciated by the delegates.

The Velo-City Global 2014 reviewed the progress of cycling across the World and also took note of the best practices prevalent in different parts of the World. It was also resolved to promote cycling more aggressively all over the World and emerging countries in particular promote cycling as a human fundamental right. This Human Right approach is necessitated to prevail upon Governments all over the world to accord greater priority to the promotion of cycling infrastructure vis-à-vis the fossil fuel operated motorised transport in atleast all urban areas. Through the newly launched WCA, this issue of promoting green urbanisation through cycling would be taken up Globally.

A major initiative in the annals of World Cycling was taken at Velo-City Global 2014 with the formal launch of World Cycling Alliance. WCA is the apex global organisation for promoting cycling and its Steering Board consists of
Manfred NEUN (President); European Cyclists Federation President, Germany
Marijke VAN HAAREN, President of Fietsersbond (Dutch Cyclists’ Union), The Netherlands
D V MANOHAR , Chairman of the HYDERABAD BICYCLING CLUB, India
Thongchai PANSWAD, President of the Thai Cycling Club, Thailand
Tim BLUMENTHAL, President of PeopleForBikes, United States
Christian HAAG, CEO of Bicycle SA, Australia
Jean-Francois Pronovost, Velo Quebec, Canada.

Elaborating on the outcomes Mr. Manohar said, as an emerging country like India can immensely benefit from being a part of the WCA and especially on the Steering Board. There are several funds dispensed by UN and other international bodies like International Transport Federation for promoting green initiatives across the globe. These funds can be tapped for promoting a green initiative like cycling. Being a part of WCA will help us to access these funds for building the much needed cycling infrastructure in our country. Beginning with major cities, we can fast track the building of required infrastructure including dedicated cycling tracks, bicycle stations, bicycles etc., in the cities and later build the Super Cycling High ways with rest rooms, food courts etc. Once such infrastructure is available, people will opt for this eco-friendly and healthy mode of transport to commute not only within the city but also to towns within a range of 100 kms. This will make a huge difference to the Indian economy too. We can bring down the ever increasing import bill for fossil fuels and the costs incurred on healthcare besides curbing pollution, he says.

This Alliance will also help in accessing tried and tested best practices in developing cost effective infrastructure. Especially in a densely populated country like us with the cities bursting at the seams, finding space to accommodate cycling tracks is an issue and the western countries can offer solutions based on their experiences.

He said Automation can help us too, citing example of cities like Tokyo and Taipei where space is at a premium. These cities have cycling stations underground with a booth over ground. Robots or cranes help ejecting the bicycles over ground, thus overcoming the space constraint.

Speaking about Cycling as a Human Fundamental Right, Mr Manohar said, the ever increasing fossil fuel driven vehicles have been edging out the non polluting eco friendly bicycles, leaving little space on the roads for cyclists and also making cycling hazardous on the roads. Governments have been often silent spectators or indirectly encouraging this phenomenon. We members of WCA have decided to take up strongly with the UN and its member countries to respect and preserve the rights of cyclists, build dedicated infrastructure for cyclists and promote cycling aggressively. He pointed out the banning of bicycles in downtown Kolkata for reasons which seemed frivolous and promised to take up the issue with the Government of West Bengal to correct the anomaly.

He also added that building cycling infrastructure for future cities is a much easier task and HBC will work towards making the new capital city of AP a bicycle friendly city by initiating talks with the new government there.

Mr. Manohar said, we are in the process of planning for a ten day 'Tour de India' bicycling race on the lines of Tour de France, in October 2015. This challenging rave starting from Hyderabad will cover 1000 kms through steep climbs and picturesque terrain. The race has been incorporated in the WCA events calendar. We will work towards promoting the event through WCA and ensure good international participation. Events like this will evoke interest about bicycling amongst the youth, he added.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. NVS Reddy, MD, Hyderabad Metro Rail, said cycling will help cover the last mile transportation and connect the metro station with their office. He said, all metro stations will have bicycle stations. The smart card issued by HMR can be used for hiring bicycles. He said transportation driven with fossil fuel is ruining the earth and hampering human development.

About WCA : World cycling Alliance (WCA) is an ECF initiative to build a Global network of non-governmental organisations with a substantial interest in promoting cycling. The main objective of the network is not only to advocate for cycling as a means of transport and sustainable development in general within international institutions – such as UN, OECD/ITF, World Bank- but also to promote and support the exchange of knoweldge, experitise and cooperation of cycling associations and organisations worldwide.

About Hyderabad Bicycling Club : HBC emerged as the World’s largest Cycling Club on Meetup overtaking the Denver Front Range Cycling Club, USA to achieve this unique distinction. HBC has grown six times in the last two years to reach the present membership strength of over 5200 members. HBC’s first of its kind Bike Stations at Gachibowli and Necklace Road have transformed the Twin Cities, resulting in more and more people taking to cycling.