SURAT: Around 300 cyclists participated in a green Surat cycle rally on Gaurav Path here on Sunday morning. The 8 km rally was flagged off from Ichhanath crossroads by Surat MP Darshana Jardosh and mayor Raju Desai. It ended at the same spot after returning from Goverdhan Nathji Haveli. The rally was organised by Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) and was also supported by Surat traffic police and Kendriya Vidyalaya.

Others present were deputy mayor Chhaya Bhuva, municipal commissioner S Aparna and city programme manager ITDP Anuj Malhotra. Jardosh and Desai both pedalled for green Surat with hundreds of other cyclists.

Malhotra said, “The rally was held on the eve of National Science Day to showcase bicycle as one of the most innovative inventions ever. We need to have proper space for cyclists on the streets of Surat. Residential areas need to be connected with market place and work places to popularise cycling in the city.”

Jardosh said, “It is my first experience of cycling on city roads. It was a joyful experience.”

Desai said, “We all should dedicate one day in a week for cycling to commute. We will be organising such events regularly.”

S Aparna said, “Certain streets in the city have been selected for implementation of cyclist friendly design after an ITDP study. We have to provide cycle users with safety on city roads.”