POKHARA, Dec 21: The annual 'Tour de Pokhara' held in Pokhara is set to continue this year as well.
The seventh edition of 'Tour de Pokhara,' organized by Cycle City Pokhara with the aim of promoting cycling culture, will be held on Saturday, December 28. In a press conference held in Pokhara on Friday, Shyam Krishna Shrestha, President of the organizer Cycle City of Pokhara, informed that this year's event will be held under the slogan "Cycling for Health, Environment, and Tourism."
Cycle City Pokhara launched 'Tour de Pokhara' in 2015 with the slogan "Healthy Heart for All, Anytime, Anywhere." In 2016, the slogan was "Power Your Life," followed by "Cycling for Health, Environment, and Tourism" in 2017, "Stop Pollution, Save Fuel" in 2018, and "Burn Fat Not Fuel" in 2019. The event did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic, but kicked off again in 2022 with the slogan "Save Fuel Drop by Drop."
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This year, the 'Tour de Pokhara' will feature a 24.5-kilometer cycling rally, as announced by President Shrestha. The cycling rally will start from Pokhara Sabha Griha and pass through, Buddha Chowk, Rambazar, Amarsingh Chowk, Miyapatan, Gondakomukh, Matepani, Ranipauwa, Mahendrapal, Palike Chowk, Nadipur, Bagar PN Campus Gate, Bhimkalipatan, Bagar Taxi Chowk, Bagbazar, Bindhyabasini Temple, Mohariyatol, Nalamukh, Siddhartha Chowk, Srijana Chowk, Jirokilometer, Hallan Chowk, Lakeside, Sahidchok, Rashtra Bank Chowk, Damside, Birota Chowk, Mustang Chowk, Nagdhunga, Prithvi Chowk, Nyayabazar, Mahendrapul, New Road, and return to Pokhara Sabha Griha for the closing ceremony, as informed by the founder president of Cycle City of Pokhara, Prakash Bajracharya.
The organizers claim that participants from children to those aged 75 will take part in the cycling rally. Founder President Bajracharya stated, "There is no age limit, anyone interested can participate." However, he mentioned that registration is mandatory. A registration fee of 1,000 rupees will be charged, and in return, the organizers will provide a T-shirt along with arrangements for tea, snacks, and food.
The organizers believe that the 'Tour de Pokhara' program will not only promote cycling culture but also make a significant contribution to fuel conservation. Additionally, it will help promote tourism, as stated by the advisor of the organization and former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Ananda Raj Mulmi. He said, "Tour de Pokhara helps make Pokhara a tourism destination and extends the stay of tourists." He also mentioned plans to make this event international. He claimed that this program, which started in Pokhara, has already been followed and initiated by places like Butwal, Kathmandu, Nepalgunj, and Palpa.
Despite efforts to increase the number of cyclists through the 'Tour de Pokhara' cycling rally, cyclists often feel unsafe due to other vehicles using the designated bike lanes. There are only a few limited areas with bike lanes, and even in those areas, other vehicles occupy them, making cyclists feel insecure. The advisor of the organization, Ananda Raj Mulmi, points out that the state's weakness has contributed to this situation. He says, "It has not been made clear that bike lanes are for cyclists. The state must take responsibility. This is the reason why the number of cyclists has not increased."
Deen Nath Baral, the president of the Sports Journalists Forum Gandaki, stated that the 'Tour de Pokhara' program has been successful in establishing the belief that people should ride bicycles. He also mentioned that it has contributed in enhancing tourism.
