A family cycle rally was held in the capital

A “Family Cycle Rally” titled “Pedal for People and Earth 2024” was held in the capital today at 9:30 am on Saturday morning calling for an eco-friendly future world by stopping the use of fossil fuels and converting to 100% renewable energy to meet the challenges of climate change. Along with various countries in Asia, Bangladesh also organized paddle programs for these people and women on the same day. By stopping the use of fossil fuels i.e. dirty harmful coal, gas, LNG and converting to 100% renewable energy, this family cycle rally is jointly organized by APMDD, Dharitri Raksha Amara (Dhara), BD Tourist Cyclist, and Waterkeepers Bangladesh for the good of the family, community and the planet. by doing

This family paddle program was inaugurated in the morning at Shahbagh in the capital. Conducted by Mamun Kabir, Communications and Advocacy Manager of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, MS Siddiqui, Private Advisor to Bangladesh Competition Commission and Co-Convener of Dharitri Rakshaya Amara (Dhara) was present as the Chief Guest. General Secretary of ERDA Monir Hossain Chowdhury, Assistant Professor Mir Muhammad Ali, Chairman of Aquaculture Department of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Chief Coordinator of BD Tourist Psychist Md. Aminul Islam Tubbus etc. were also present as guests in the event. Bangladesh Photo and Tourism Club Director Md. Shahiduzzaman Badal, Mirpur Boys Stand Group Coordinator Mohammad Ali Rimon, Vice President of Bangladesh Cycle Lane Implementation Council, Mohammad Riaz and Swapan Das, University of Dhaka student Abeda Sultana Milli, Costa Rican Rani Biswas, Anjuman Ara were also present. Samya, Md. Kazimul Islam etc.

MS Siddiqui said, to save our planet, to save our people, we need to stop burning fossil fuels and switch to renewable fuels. We should use bicycles to reduce pollution. Bicycles are still the main means of transportation in the villages of North Bengal. Children go to school by bicycle. Urban people use motorcycles and cars more. But we have to practice cycling to protect our environment and land.

Monir Hossain Chowdhury said that the families came to this program by cycling today. Seeing you, other families in the country will also be encouraged to use bicycles. We must cycle to create a pollution-free environment. This woman must be protected.

Mir Muhammad Ali said that the government’s commitment to using fossil fuels is not evidenced in the work. Even after the Paris Agreement, we see coal-based power plants being built in environmentally and environmentally sensitive areas in my country, which worries us. Apart from this, separate lanes for bicycles should be arranged in our country like developed countries, this will encourage many people to ride bicycles and reduce accidents. We must reduce pollution to meet the challenge of climate change. That is why we need to transition to renewable energy. I hope that the people of the country will be encouraged to use fossil fuels from this family cycle rally today.

Md. Aminul Islam Tubbus said, separate bicycle lanes have been made in different countries of the world to encourage the use of bicycles. But our country still does not have bicycle lanes. We want to encourage the use of bicycles to rid the world of fossil fuels. Safe roads are needed for this. So I demand the government to implement cycle lanes.

Mamun Kabir said that to face the challenge of climate change, it has become very important to stop using fossil fuels and switch to 100% renewable energy. We urge the government to ensure the use of 100% renewable energy. To leave a pollution-free world to our future generations, we need to stop the use of fossil fuels such as dirty harmful coal, gas, LNG and ensure conversion to 100% renewable energy. And by increasing the use of bicycles, the work of the family, the community and the well-being of this world should be accelerated.

After the opening ceremony, the family cycle rally started from Shahbagh and circled the various roads of Dhaka University and ended at the central Shaheed Minar. Hundreds of cyclists along with their family members such as father, mother, brother, sister, husband and wife participated in the rally. At the end of the rally, the best cyclist Anwar Hossain Rum’s family was awarded by the organizers. They participated in this rally with all the family members. From the event, to ensure the use of 100% renewable energy, to stop the use of dirty and harmful fossil fuels, it was demanded to extend the hand of cooperation of the government to create opportunities for safe cycling.

Also on the same day, APMDD, Dharitri Rakshaye Amara (Dhara), and Waterkeepers Bangladesh jointly organized this family cycle rally at Kalapara in Patuakhali, Patharghata in Barguna, Mongla in Bagerhat, and Pekua in Cox’s Bazar.