‘What a wonderful start’: Indian Army veteran praises Chicago’s cycling lanes and fitness spaces
An Indian Army veteran shared his first cycling ride in Chicago and admired its safe, separate lanes.
An Indian Army veteran in Chicago has sparked a conversation online after sharing a video of his first cycling experience in the city. Taking to Instagram, Yashpal Singh Mor posted a clip in which he was seen cycling along the Michigan Lake shoreline while praising the infrastructure created for fitness, running and cycling.

(Also read: ‘Most garbage friendly city in India’: Army veteran mocks ‘millennium city’ Gurgaon in viral video)
In the video, Mor appeared impressed by the dedicated cycling and running spaces in the city. Sharing his experience, he said, “if it's your first ride and this is what you see... nations don't become great just like that until there is space for fitness and running. Look, even though it's afternoon right now, people are cycling, running... there's an open gym and a lake over there. Look at this view from my bicycle. Isn't it so safe? It's so safe even though a highway is passing right next to it. But the cycling lane is completely separate, running is separate, cycling is separate... Wow! This is amazing, amazing... look at my new bicycle. Okay, great! From now on, you'll be seeing cycling pictures.”
‘Excellent facilities for running and cycling’
The video was shared with a caption in which Mor further praised Chicago’s public infrastructure and scenic cycling routes. He wrote, “What a wonderful start to cycling in Chicago. Excellent facilities for running and cycling. Why do they want to make America Grand Again? It's already a great country! The Michigan Lake shoreline is one of the most picturesque cycling tracks in the world. Traveling is indeed the biggest investment in life.”
The clip showed a separate cycling lane, a running track, an open gym area and the lake in the background. Mor’s remarks drew attention from many social media users, especially those who compared such facilities with the condition of roads and pedestrian spaces in Indian cities.
Watch the clip here:
Internet reacts to the video
Reacting to the video, one user wrote, “In India, there is no space to walk.” Another said, “Expecting this kind of infrastructure in India is a dream.” A third user commented, “Sir, ek baar hamare Kanpur city ki sadkon par aap cycle chala kar dikha dijiye, maan jayenge. Yahan sadke nahi hain, sadak hi gayab hai.”
(Also read: 'Live like animals in pig house': French woman's furious rant on Gurgaon hits a nerve)
Some users also pointed out the population and land difference between the two countries. “Sir, their population is much lower than India’s, and the area is much larger,” one person wrote. Another added, “Yes i agree with you, sir.”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)
ABOUT THE AUTHORMahipal Singh ChouhanMahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.Read More

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