I am Rakesh Mohindra, an outstanding cycling enthusiast, who’s participated and won many championships of University, State and National repute. I am UCI MTB Commissaire associated with National and International Cycling Unions and got trained at World Cycling Centre in Switzerland. Presently employed by Panjab University, Chandigarh and spearheading a campaign of Chandigarh Cycling Group to popularize Bicycling Sharing Program among school and university students in collaborating with various organizations. I’m also helping underprivileged and exemplary students to get bicycle donations from Corporates.
How would you describe your mission?
My mission is to cooperate with students of local schools, colleges and university for the promotion of mass cycling. I want to help redesign distinct signage for existing bicycling infrastructure. To establish Cycling Clubs in educational institutions to work on campaigns/events/programs, education, road safety & bicycling advocacy.
What are the obstacles and challenges you’re facing in your city?
Our beautiful city has excellent infrastructure for bicycling – matching any European city, but there is lack of regulatory body under municipal corporation, which can guide and administer strategies to develop the city into a bicycling friendly one. The main challenge would be to align them with the objectives of the BYCS program.
What are your next steps now that you are the Bicycle Mayor?
I shall try to muster the support of local municipal body and the police department to frame guidelines, as per the BYCS program, for sustainable provisions for bicycling development supporting people to use bicycles. My top priority will be creating provisions for bicycling parking as encroached by automobiles.
What can other cities learn from your city?
Chandigarh is an ultra-modern planned city with a good transport system with separate bicycle paths. Also known as a beautiful city, it has a very clean and green environment. The city is an example of modern architecture and hosts distinct self-sustained sector systems, which inspire people for sustainable city planning.
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