AMU promotes cycling ahead of World Environment Day

Ahead of the World Environment Day June 5, efforts have begun to promote cycling in the sprawling Aligarh Muslim University campus. Both students and faculty members see cycling as the best option to contain air pollution caused by the increasing number of vehicles.

The AMU Cycle Mart, a unique initiative to popularise cycling, has been launched by the university administration to achieve the goal of a greener and cleaner campus.

The Pedal Green AMU Bicycle Studio is a joint venture with Hero Cycles Ltd., which would provide bicycles to the students, faculty members and non-teaching staff at discounted rates with stickers reading 'Pedal Green AMU'. The university has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hero Cycles for five years.

The initiative, aimed at increasing the use of bicycles for commuting within the university, promises not just a pollution free environment but also a healthier lifestyle, say the promoters.

"The opening of this mart fulfils his dream of AMU becoming sensitive towards the green environment like universities in Europe and America. He hopes the mart will help promote a cycle culture in AMU and students and teachers will prefer cycles for daily commuting," AMU vice chancellor Lt. Gen. (retd) Zameer Uddin Shah said at the inauguration Thursday.

Hero Cycles project manager Gopal Krishna said: "It is a right decision in right direction and other universities in India will also promote use of cycles in their campuses to make them greener and cleaner."

But there are cynics too, who think, the initiative will not attract notice. "The guys love the mobikes and high speed. And the faculty members would not like to waste time commuting on bikes," says Chaman Sharma, a local journalist.

In Dayalbagh Educational Institure a deemed university here run by the followers of the Radhasoami faith, cycling is popular. Many teachers and administrators use cycles to commute from their homes to the campus.