Mangaluru, Dec 7: Hundreds of cycling enthusiasts of all the age groups exhibited their pedal power battling the early morning chill at the eighth annual Rxlife Hercules Cycle Rally which was flagged off from Lady Hill Circle in the city at 6.30 a.m. on Sunday.
City Police Chief R Hithendra formally inaugurated the rally, which covered a distance of 18 Kms, passing through Kottara, Kuloor, Tannirbavi, Kottara, Urvastore, Ashoknagar, Hoigebail, Batteri and culminated at Amrita Vidyalayam School Gounds, Boloor around 9:30 a.m.
The mass cycle rally, unique to Mangalore started with 240 riders in the year 2007. Over the past seven years this non-commercial, non-competitive event being organized in public interest has been well patronaged by mangaloreans. More than 2000 riders participated in last year's cycle rally.
According to organizers the rally has succeeded in evoking keen interest in cycling, which apart from being a common man's mode of transport is also a widely acclaimed fitness routine. Amongst children, cycling inculcates basic riding reflexes, road sense, spirit of adventure and the thrill of balancing on wheels.
The focus this time was road safety. The punch line was Safe Roads, Safer Rides'. All the banners and hoardings propagated road safety slogans like Learn to let go', keep left'; Keep pedalling, you will find your way', etc.
A group of artists under the leadership of Harish Kodialbail had erected an installation art at Ballalbaggurji circle, using four cycles with wings. The installation shows road safety slogans pasted on cycle rims. While the cycle painted red, yellow and green depicts one's duty to follow the traffic signals, the cycle in blue conveys one's own commitment to practice them voluntarily.
Members of YHAI, Team Mangalore, Rxlife Family, SICASA – C.A. students Association and many others are volunteered to facilitate a smooth rally. Mangaluru City Police and Traffic Police Division of the city and Suratkal ensured traffic management.
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