Family cycling event held to combat smog

LAHORE : A mega family cycling event was organised by Commissioner Lahore Office and MCL on The Mall, which was closed to all kind of traffic except cyclists and pedestrians here on Sunday.

The event track started from Faisal Chowk till Istanbul Chowk and concluded back at the Faisal Chowk. A large number of citizens participated in the event led by the Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Randhawa. DC Lahore Rafia Haider and other senior officials also participated in the event.

The event was organised to combat smog, promote Cycle Culture and a healthy environment and encourage civic engagement, Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Randhawa said, adding purpose of the cycling event was to raise awareness about environmental pollution in the City and promotion of healthy environment.

Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Randhawa said under the anti-smog campaign, cycle tracks were being marked on major roads and arrangements were being done to get discount from restaurants to customers coming on cycles to encourage cycling culture in the City.

He said enthusiastic participation of the citizens, families, children, senior citizens and the differently-abled persons in such events showed they were concerned about environment and wanted to bring a change. He said that cycling events were included in the city's annual calendar, creating a continuous series of cycling events. Lahore High Court has given clear directions for promoting healthy activities in the city, he said and maintained that instructions were issued to set up green lanes for cycling.

Under the anti-smog campaign, 135 intersections in the city were being expanded to reduce traffic congestion. Over 200 cyclists participated in ‘Smog Awareness Family Ride Lahore’ while scores of spectators joined in to support the cause.

The Punjab government was fully committed to holding awareness sessions for citizens to embrace healthy lifestyles and contribute to the movement to make Lahore cleaner, breathable, and environment-friendly, the Commissioner concluded.