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Imphal, June 3: After successfully launching the bamboo-fabricated bicycle, Manipur Cycle Club today announced the start of mass production of the environment-friendly cycle before the end of this year.
“We will start manufacturing the bamboo cycle by the end of this month and launch a cycle-on-rent project inside Kangla Fort, Manipur University complex and other selected places in a year’s time,” said Ramananda Wangkheirakpam, the newly elected president of the club.
The one-year-old cycle club held its general body meeting and elected new office-bearers today.
The club manufactured three different types of the bamboo-fabricated bicycle, called Wa (bamboo) Bike, during a four-day workshop, with a successful test ride on April 4 this year.
Manipur Cycle Club came into existence on January 23 last year and more than 100 people from different professions are active members.
The objective of the club is to promote and popularise use of the bicycle, which is good for health and saves on fuel expenses as well as reduces carbon emission and traffic congestion.
Wangkheirakpam said they would step up their campaign for a bicycle lane along the streets of Imphal city this year. The club had submitted a memorandum to chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, seeking a bicycle lane last year. “However, we have got no response from the government till today,” the new president said.
“According to the latest census report, 52 per cent of road users in Manipur are cyclists. However, the government did not include them when it planned for the roads. The roads have been designed only for bikes and four-wheelers.”
Announcing the action plan for the current term, the president said they are planning to set up of a Manipur Cycle Cooperative Society, for manufacturing the Wa Bike and promote use of the bicycle. “We also have plans to create a cottage industry of Wa Bikes in the state,” Wangkheirakpam said.
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