Chandigarh police show some cyclegiri

Senior cops rode bicycles through several sectors of Chandigarh recently in a bid to promote healthy living. The police’s traffic wing along with a group of cyclists and doctors from Indian Medical Association, Chandigarh, observed world car-free day and covered about 10 kms on bicycles.
While SSP (Traffic) Shashank Anand along with DSPs Charanjit Singh Virk and Jaswinder Singh and others highlighted the need to utilize cycle tracks, the officers also took part in a rally along with others.The aim of the rally was to maintain healthier, closer, happier and better-connected lifestyle. Also, the concept of cycling to work was highlighted on the occasion.
While it rained heavily, the rallyists (read cyclists) gathered at Sukhna Lake early in the morning. With 300 cyclists all set to cover the city while wearing formal outfits, uniforms, they wanted to educate others to adopt cycling as a part of lifestyle. The traffic wing of police also talked about the recently-commissioned cycle squad, which will work to ensure the safety other cyclists. Later, Dr Hardeep Singh Santokh joint sectary IMA, talked about the benefits of cycling which helps prevent several diseases. Road safety activist Harman Sidhu flagged off the rally.
We hear cycling in formals was the concept highlighted to remove hesitation from people’s mind who find it uneasy. The doctors in the rally too wore their office outfits including a white coat. DSPs who used bicycle in the rally said, “From the point of view of health and environment, cycling is good. Since almost whole city has tracks adjacent to the main roads, one must use cycles, for it will reduce pollution as well as cut traffic congestion.”
The UT police’s recently created squad has 16 members who patrol the area besides encouraging people to use eco-friendly ways to save environment. “Also, we have an eight-member team which works to on cycle track road safety audit,” said a DSP, adding, “They check the things on ground level.” Such rallies and bicycle promotional drives, as per police, will continue.