Cycle against climate change

Cyclists in the city have circled the date 10/10/10 on the calendar and are getting set for two cycling rallies that day. These rallies are being organised under the aegis of US-based global initiative 350.org.

Cyclists in the city have circled the date 10/10/10 on the calendar and are getting set for two cycling rallies that day. These rallies are being organised under the aegis of US-based global initiative 350.org.

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The rallies aim to promote green transport and raise awareness about climate change and will begin at Carter Road, Bandra, at 6.30 am, with participants pedalling to Worli and back on two separate routes.

The Bicycle Project rally seeks to combine a green cause with its ongoing campaign to get bicycles to tribal children.
“We recycle in a different way,” says project co-founder, Simona Terron. “Old cycles are revamped and sent to tribal children, who otherwise have to walk at least 6 km to school.”

TenTaTen, the second rally, is an effort to spread awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels like petrol and diesel.

“We are expecting more than 100 participants,” says organiser Faisal Thakur, a bicycling enthusiast. The two rallies are part of a larger global initiative, with events organised across 180 countries by 350.org on the once-in-a-decade 10/10/10 date.

“I’m excited to be pedalling for two causes close to my heart,” says Rama Bishnoi, 48, a Khar resident and management consultant.” Santacruz resident Purnendu Nath, 41, who works with a finance consultancy firm, says, “I moved to Mumbai two years ago. People here are always stuck in traffic. They should cycle more,” he says.