New Town Business Club has three offerings on the anvil for cyclists and aspiring cyclists. The first is for women who would be invited to come together for cycling tours of the township.

“This group, called The New Town Divas, will be kickstarted on August 13, 6.30am from the club itself,” says the club’s general manager Col (retd) Indrajit Roy. The women will use the cycle lanes on the street and ride down to the clock tower and then the Unbox Garden underneath Biswa Bangla Gate for tea and snacks. “While we may undertake longer routes later, the focus at the beginning will be to make women feel confident about cycling. Many have not ridden since their school days.”

While the tour is free for members, non-members are to pay a token Rs 10 per day. While the women are expected to get their own cycles, the club will keep one or two as standby.

The second group, called The New Town Leaders, to be launched on August 14, 6.30am, is for men and women who are in the habit of cycling. “Their tours will be longer. On the first day we shall ride from the clock tower to the Eiffel Tower replica in Eco Park and later we may visit the wetlands.” Rates are the same.

The final initiative is cycle training. Primarily for children, the classes will be imparted at the cricket ground near City Centre 2 on Sundays from 4 to 6pm. “The fees will be Rs 200 a month and there is no upper age limit. Adults who wish to learn cycling are welcome,” says Roy.

“Since the cycles will be ridden on grass, one would not be hurt much if one falls.” This service will start about a fortnight after the other two.

“By encouraging cycling we will be guiding members towards an eco-friendly lifestyle,” says Roy.