Union Minister: Encourages Them to Offer Incentives for Cycling Promotion
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya held discussions with prominent cycle manufacturers today on ways to promote cycling across the country. The talks centered on providing incentives to encourage cycling and enhancing the impact of the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative.
Sharing his personal experience, Dr. Mandaviya stated, “I regularly cycled to Parliament out of my passion for cycling. It addresses multiple challenges, from obesity to pollution. We must make cycling trendy, highlight its health benefits, and promote it effectively.”
The Union Minister urged cycle manufacturers to introduce incentives that promote cycling among people of all age groups. “We must link cycling to tangible benefits—such as offering carbon credits to riders, providing free helmets, or introducing exclusive membership perks for regular cyclists. These incentives will naturally encourage more people to take up cycling,” he emphasized.
Union Minister Dr. Mandaviya also pointed out that an increasing demand for bicycles could spur infrastructure development. “Our goal should be to build a cycling culture, not just sell cycles. Cycling can play a major role in reducing our carbon footprint, and exploring initiatives like carbon credits is crucial. Engaging school children, office-goers, and the general public with incentives such as free helmets or rewards for frequent cycling can make a significant impact,” he added.
The Union Minister had launched the cycling drive at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi on December 17, 2023, to promote cycling as a sustainable, healthy, and eco-friendly mode of transport. Over the last nine weeks, the Sundays on Cycle initiative has been conducted in more than 3,500 locations nationwide, drawing participation from over 2 lakh riders—from Jammu and Kashmir to Tamil Nadu and from Kolkata to Aurangabad.
Representatives from Hero Cycles, AlphaVector 91 Cycles, Decathlon, and Cult.fit participated in the meeting, reaffirming their support for the “Sundays on Cycle” initiative. They committed to exploring innovative ways to incentivize cycling, promote it as a lifestyle, and contribute to the growth of a vibrant cycling culture in India.
Rohit Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer of Hero Cycles, emphasized the need to cultivate a cycling culture rather than merely selling bicycles. “We must work collectively to embed the habit of daily cycling into people’s lives. It offers immense benefits and conveys a strong health-centric message. Our focus should be on selling the culture, not just the product,” he stated.
Calling the discussion an insightful experience, Vikas Jain, Associate Vice President at AlphaVector India Pvt Ltd, said, “This meeting has been an eye-opener for all of us, and we are privileged to have the Government of India’s backing for this movement. We will brainstorm ideas and collaborate to bring cycling back into fashion, with the support of the Hon’ble Union Sports Minister.”
The Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in partnership with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and MY Bharat. Events take place simultaneously across the country at SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs).
The initiative has seen participation from Indian Army personnel, India Post postmen, and members of CRPF and ITBP. Notable sports stars such as Lovlina Borgohain, Sangram Singh, Shanky Singh, Nitu Ghanghas, Saweety Boora, Preeti Pawar, Rubina Francis, and Simran Sharma have joined the rides, alongside celebrities like Amit Sial, Rahul Bose, and Gul Panag.