Mumbai: After a gap of eight years, the citys second Critical Mass event for cyclists took place on Saturday. More than 50 cycle enthusiasts, professionals and leisure riders met at Shivaji Park to ride all the way to Juhu, covering a distance of 10 km. The idea was to attract as much attention as possible and reclaim cycling rights on road space in the city. As scheduled, the participants rallied their way from Dadar and navigated through Linking Road before winding up at Juhu in an hours time.
Having often been at the receiving of road-rage, many cyclists find it a difficult task to make their way through heavy traffic and angry motorists ready to start a fight.
"Pedestrians dont have footpaths. So we cant even think of getting a separate cycling lane. It will only remain a distant dream," says Nelson OJ, a participant. The silent message these riders wanted to send out to BEST bus drivers, rickshawallas and motorists: Respect us. We may be smaller and slower, but we deserve the road as much as you do.
And if you thought 10 km was too much, think again. Enthusiast Renny Verghese, who was at the event, laughed at the idea of getting fatigued. "Cycles are the most efficient, self-powered means of transportation available. Youd have to be extremely unfit to be unable to finish a distance as short as this," he says. For him, riding in the open air is the best form of exercise, way better than burning fat in the closed interiors of a gym.
Amidst all the male riders were three women too. One of them was lecturer Rashmi K, who managed to make it after pleading with and convincing her parents. "They were worried about my safety," she explains.
Part of an international event that takes place regularly, Mumbais Critical Mass event wasnt a one-off rally. The participants plan to organise it on the last Saturday of every month, in larger numbers. The movement will continue to be a mass movement without any leaders, Anooj Rajan, one of the gatherers of the event, said.
