E-Kantipur

FEB 24 -

It’s muscle power versus engine power, and for a good cause. After the Asian Development Bank ranked Kathmandu as one of the 15 most polluted cities in Asia—particularly due to automobile emissions, rattled by the rating, more and more people and corporate houses have started adopting eco-friendly means of transport such as bicycles. ‘Chain’, a mountain bike outlet at Bhani Mandal in Lalitpur, is going the extra mile to promote the noble idea of office-goers pedalling to work on Fridays.

Last December, Chain in coordination with Laxmi Bank launched the ‘Bike Friday’ scheme with the slogan ‘One day for Kathmandu—let’s breathe free.’ Now, around 100 Laxmi Bank employees and staffers of several other offices and schools cycle to office every Friday.

Chain Bikes Managing Director Jojan Gurung said the concept, if adopted, will boost the companies’ image as it would show that the company is indeed worried about the environment. He added that it would also have a good bearing on people’s health, while most importantly the move will reduce traffic and parking congestion as well as pollution problems that Kathmandu is grappling with.

“Pedalling to work will ease road congestion, help the environment, free parking spots and reduce stress levels through both exercise and the financial bonus of a cheaper form of transport,” Gurung said.

As a part of its campaign, Chain has been approaching schools, corporate houses and business establishments. Chain, being the first company to adopt the scheme, a number of other companies such as Big Mart, Moksh, Himlayan Java, Laxmi Bank, Gyanodaya School and members of popular music band 1974 AD are following suit.

Laxmi Bank Manager Nikesh Ghimire cycles to office every Friday as part of his commitment to work for a better environment and healthier mode of life. “Friday is a casual day so we have been encouraging our employees to switch to eco-friendly practices at least once a week. It is our corporate social responsibility to promote more environment-friendly modes of transport,” he said. “It is not easy to force our employees to ride bicycles but we are encouraging them to adopt a more eco-friendly commute in their daily life.”

Various schools, corporate offices and celebrities are also in the process of promoting cycling to work or to get about daily business.

Chain Marketing Manager Binita Shrestha said in schools, the company is targeting teachers who could make all the difference while going to work and students who could take up biking as a sport to start with. She added that companies can encourage their staff and even individuals can take up the various schemes—easy monthly instalments and discounts—and make all the difference at a time when the entire world is losing sleep over how to tackle the ever-growing menace of climate change.

The outlet is offering cash discounts or installment schemes to enable even the commonest office goer to enjoy savings, said Gurung. The cost per bicycle ranges from Rs 22,000 to Rs 75,000. “We aim to encourage people to be responsible for mother earth and contribute at the individual level to promoting a clean and green environment in the Capital,” he added.

A report published by the Asian Development Bank in 2009 ranked Kathmandu as one of the most polluted cities in Asia that also includes Delhi, Hanoi, Beijing and

Taipei. In Nepal, vehicles rank among the top three commodities imported in the fiscal year 2009-2010.

WHO scientists estimate 537,000 people in Southeast Asia and the Pacific die prematurely every year due to air pollution. The level of PM10 in Kathmandu’s air is 120 micrograms per square meter. As per the World Health Organisation standards, the level of PM10 should be 20 micrograms per square meter.

Posted on: 2011-02-24 09:01

Post Your Comment

Please note that all the fields marked * are mandatory.
* Full Name
* Address
* Email Address
* Comment
* Captcha	Get another CAPTCHA code
Note:	Comments containing abusive words or slander shall not be published.