I am Felix John from the capital of the southern state Tamil Nadu, India – Chennai. Amateur doodler & calligrapher, with some experience in pencil sketching and drawings. Business owner by profession and cycling being my passion. Cycling has been my drive since 2016 and I have been strongly pursuing it to explore the city and the state. I am part of WCCG core team – We’re Chennai Cycling Group and our vision has been to make Chennai the cycling capital of the East.
How would you describe your mission?
The mission is to make Chennai the cycling capital of the East and to do that we need increased bicycle ridership which will garner its attention to have them included and consider a priority under legislation. To achieve this increase in ridership, it is important to create much more awareness on acceptance of cycling/cyclists on-road and off-road (mentatlity) among the citizens, family, co-workers and friends.
What are the obstacles and challenges you’re facing in your city?
WEATHER, as all countries across the globe, we too have different weather and to add to that part the humidity kills the enthusiasm. Secondly, SAFETY during the commute in traffic requires major attention. Thirdly, EDUCATION of taking up cycling for commute and fitness.
What are your next steps now that you are the Bicycle Mayor?
✓ Put the existing insfrastructure & facilities to its right use, once the ridership increases the same can be replicated across some parts of the city.
✓ Create awareness about the benefits of cycling and the use of available infrastructure.
What can other cities learn from your city?
✓ It’s not too late to start the change.
✓ If we can do it, anyone can.
✓ Hurdles may slow us but never stop us.
✓ Compared to the past five years, the cyclists community has grown tenfold and we are pursuing it further…
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