SwitchON Foundation organised a state-wide cycling event, ‘Cycle with Lights’ Parade to create awareness on the harmful effects of bursting fire crackers for the third consecutive time, this year. The aim of the parade was to sensitise citizens about the harm firecrackers cause to the environment and public health. . The event, organised across 20 major cities, saw over 1000 cyclists which included people of all age groups. Cyclists urged citizens to ‘Say No to Firecrackers’ while carrying placards, posters and banners and travelling the roads of the city on bicycles decorated with eco-friendly, battery operated, led lights. The cyclists encouraged people to choose pollution-free celebration options instead. The event received an overwhelming participation. The participants were also seen raising slogans on air pollution and distributing leaflets on how to make the upcoming festival cleaner, safer and pollution free. This year the participating cycling groups included the Durgapur Cyclist Group, Howrah Cycle Arohi, Jalpaiguri Cycling Club, Kalimpong Cycling Association, Hooghly Imambara, Bandel Church Group, Argo Cycling team, Cycos, Cycle-Ops, Kolkata Cycle Samaj, West Bengal Cyclist Association, 2 Wheels Kolkata, Cycle Network Grow, NTFN, Parsec Racing Point Column, KCAA RJC, Dooars Trails, Cyclon Riders, Siliguri Cycling Community, Chakulia Youth Club, Burdwan Cycling Club and Pahchan foundation.
A very motivating fact was the presence of cycling groups from far off cities like Kalimpong and Asansol.
Speaking at the event, Vinay Jaju, Co-Founder of SwitchON Foundation said, “This years event saw a huge turnout of cyclists urging citizens to say no to firecrackers, such large-scale awareness drives are needed to sensitise citizens on the harmful effects of air pollution from firecrackers; the air becomes unbreathable ..”
0 
0 
