Shun vehicles for short distances, cyclists urge Delhiites

Nearly 50 enthusiasts, including doctors and young girls, today cycled on a 2.6-kilometre-long stretch in Delhi to urge people to cut down their use of private vehicles as the air pollution levels in the national capital has worsened.
The participants began their rally from Gandhi Peace Foundation on Deen Dayal Upadyaya Marg and ended at Rajghat.
The rally with the slogan 'pedal to prevail over pollution' was flagged off by BJP lawmaker Meenakshi Lekhi.
Lekhi said the high particulate matter (PM) 10 and 2.5 are indicators of air pollution in an area and there was a need for people to change their lifestyle and minimise the use of vehicles to decrease the worsening air pollution.

"There is a need to create awareness in the society about the ill-effects of air pollution. There is also a need for dedicated cycle tracks in the city and we are in touch with the Delhi government for the same," she said.
Delhi's air quality entered the 'severe' zone in the last week of December. Ministry of Earth Sciences Agency SAFAR recorded the average levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 (24 hour, rolling) at 197 and 304 micrograms per cubic metre respectively against the prescribed standards of 60 and 100.

Charu Sharma, a cosmetic surgeon who was the organiser of event, said air pollution in Delhi has reached dangerous levels and immediate action was needed to combat the problem.

"The rally intended to encourage physical activity among people and help them shed sedentary lifestyle and over-dependence on private vehicles to commute. It is for encouraging people to use cycles for short and medium distances and shun motor vehicles for travelling," he said.
This would bring about major health benefits and shield people from lifestyle related diseases like blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, said a statement by the organisers.
Lekhi also said that as part of the national sanitation campaign, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation has launched special cleanliness drive which include cleaning of roads, schools, parks, toilets, footpaths and dustbins.