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Pankaj Munjal shares health and environmental benefits of cycling 

With the threat of more COVID variants looming, cycling remains a popular activity for people seeking health, fitness, and recreation. As COVID-19 casts doubt on returning to 'normal,' cycling remains a safe and effective way to stay active while adhering to social distancing norms. Given the increase in demand since the start of the pandemic until now, cycling remains a form of exercise that people of all ages continue to show interest in. 

Pankaj M. Munjal, chairman and managing director, HMC, A Hero Motors Company shares a few pros of cycling and how his company is seeing a large demand in his products. 

Health benefits 

The World Health Organization has consistently advocated various benefits of cycling during the pandemic. It not only decreased physical contact between people but also boosted fitness activity at a time when public parks and gyms were closed. Cycling has numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, bone strength, arthritis management, and weight loss. It is also a very good way to stay fit and prevent the onset of diseases. Cycling improves heart muscle strength, reduces blood fat levels, and lowers resting pulse. Cyclists also have two to three times less pollution exposure than car commuters, resulting in improved lung function. It reduces your risk of bowel cancer and lowers the risk of breast cancer. It also improves strength, balance, and coordination. It could also aid in the prevention of fractures and falls. 

Riding a bike is a great way to exercise if you have osteoarthritis because it is a low-impact activity that puts little strain on your joints. Psychologically, the feeling of 'being free' when pedalling from one location to another in an open-air mode boosts one's mood and installs a sense of well-being. 

Saving the environment 

According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), focusing on cyclists and pedestrians can help save the environment. Using bicycles instead of four and two-wheelers for short-distance travel can save Rs 1.8 trillion per year, according to a study by the Energy and Resources Institute. The more people who cycle, the less pollution there will be, which will aid in environmental protection.

Cycling not only meets the need for exercise but also allows people to maintain social distance. Popular tourist locations like London, Geneva, Milan, and Brussels are already spending more in flexible bicycle lanes so that a large number of people can ride to work, and India should follow suit. 

The way forward 

Cycling is a sustainable and egalitarian method of transportation. To increase resilience against future pandemics while also efficiently combating climate change, Indian cities must prioritize cycling and walking. In order to do this, the country's bike infrastructure must be improved urgently. Till now, the increased use of bicycles has primarily been for fitness and recreation purposes. We must consolidate this trend through policy initiatives and usher in a shift toward more cycling to work. Hopefully, this will be a year when not only the world is free of Covid, but also when cycling is more widely adopted.