TAXILA: Over 300 participants in a cycle rally made a pledge on Thursday to use cycles for travelling small distances instead of other means for improving health and addressing pollution issues.

The rally was organised by the tehsil administration Jand in Attock district with the collaboration of civil society and local colleges to highlight the importance of cycling and other physical activities, besides their impact on the environment.

When the rally came to an end, the participants promised they would try to use their bicycles whenever possible and trade them for emission-producing vehicles.

According to the organisers, the event aimed to spread awareness about how bicycles are important for our physical health and encourage people, especially youngsters.

Assistant Commissioner Jand Arif Qureshi along with Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ahmed Khan Niazi inaugurated the cycle rally and participated in the activity.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony, Mr Qureshi said

any form of physical exercise was great for maintaining one’s health, but if something like cycling to and from school or work it also helps the environment simultaneously.

He said that cycling was a sports in which stamina could be improved, adding that the regular use of cycling would significantly reduce smog. ‘Less use of vehicles that emit smoke would also reduce smog”, he added.

SDPO Ahmed Khan urged the youth to adopt cycles for travelling small distances instead of other means and join sports activities for better health.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2023