Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Jul: A special lecture on cycling in the Doon Valley was organied by the Doon Library & Research Centre in collaboration with ‘Pahadi Pedallers’. The theme of the programme was “Doon Valley and Cycling: Challenges and Possibilities”. The session featured an impressive presentation supported by videos and slides.
Gajendra Ramola of Pahadi Pedallers stated that the history of Dehradun is incomplete without the bicycle. Since the invention of the bicycle, it remained the primary mode of transportation for local residents in Dehradun for many decades. Through an illustrated presentation, he explained that traffic congestion and the rapidly increasing number of vehicles have become the city’s most pressing concerns. He noted that his team has been consistently promoting cycling culture for the past five years in an effort to preserve the clean environment of the Doon Valley. Statistics from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) themselves reflect the immense pressure of vehicular traffic on Dehradun’s roads.
He pointed out that Dehradun’s population, which stood at around 600,000 in the year 2000, has now grown to nearly 1.6 million. The number of registered vehicles has also crossed 1.6 million. As a result, the city’s roads remain congested almost throughout the day.
One of the greatest concerns for Dehradun is its inadequate public transport system, which accounts for only about 4 percent of urban mobility, while 96 percent of commuters rely on private vehicles.
Road-widening projects in the city have come at the cost of many decades-old trees. Roads such as Delhi Road, Sahastradhara Road and Haridwar Road have been widened, but none of these major roads provide dedicated cycling tracks.
Ramola emphasised that cycling is not merely a mode of transport but also an effective means of preventing several serious health problems. Regular cycling reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, improves fitness, and helps lower air and noise pollution in urban areas. He informed the audience that the Pahadi Pedallers team includes members ranging in age from 10 to 80 years, including women, youth and senior citizens. Initiatives such as Cycle Sakhi and Doon Pedal Tales are actively promoting cycling tourism in the region.
The programme was chaired by Padma Shri awardee Kalyan Singh Rawat, who highlighted that the Pahadi Pedallers team, in collaboration with the district administration, has identified more than 70 natural water sources. Of these, over 40 water sources have already been scientifically documented and mapped.
Speaking on the occasion, cyclist Chandni said that, over the past year, the Cycle Sakhi initiative has been encouraging more women to adopt cycling as a regular activity.
Ramola further stated that the lack of dedicated cycling paths remains the biggest challenge for cyclists. Several accidents involving cyclists have occurred due to inadequate infrastructure. Even where cycling tracks exist, encroachments and illegal parking have rendered them largely ineffective, reducing them to mere showpieces. Cyclists continue to face significant safety risks on city roads.
Welcoming the participants at the beginning of the programme, Chandarshekhar Tewari, Programme Officer of the Doon Library & Research Centre, said that the objective of the event was to discuss cycling not merely as a means of transportation but as a healthy, environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyle. He observed that, in the context of growing traffic congestion, pollution and urban pressures, cycling culture offers a practical alternative for the Doon Valley. He also acknowledged the remarkable contribution of Pahadi Pedallers in the fields of cycling advocacy, environmental awareness, tourism promotion and citizen engagement. He expressed confidence that the presentation by Gajendra Ramola and his team would serve as an important step towards a sustainable and greener future for Dehradun.
The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session in which participants raised several queries and shared their views.
Among those present were several young and senior cyclists, along with Dr DK Pandey (Librarian), Sundar Singh Bisht, Dr Lalta Prasad, Jagdish Joshi, Sandeep Gusain, Vijay Bhatt, Shailendra Semwal, Arun Kumar Aswal, Devendra Kandpal, Dr VK Dobhal, Kulbhushan, Alok Kumar Sareen, and a large number of journalists, writers, intellectuals and social activists.
