The Hindu Covers SheCycling At Vattiyurkavu — Featuring Zeenath M.A.'S Vision Of Cycling As A Path To Confidence And Self-Reliance.
It had been a childhood dream of Anjitha O.S. to ride a bicycle. This past weekend, Anjitha, a postgraduate preparing for the Kerala Public Service Commission examinations, reached the Central Polytechnic College at Vattiyurkavu here to fulfil her wish, and she was in good company. Girls as young as nine and women as old as 65 were also there with the same dream.More than 15 girls and women have learnt how to cycle as part of SheCycling, a nationwide cycle literacy campaign of BYCS India Foundation that concluded in the city on Monday.
Level playing field: Free training in progress as part of SheCycling on the Central Polytechnic College premises at Vattiyurkavu.
The three-day campaign was led in the State by Prakash P. Gopinath of the Indus Cycling Embassy (ICE), who is also the Bicycle Mayor of the city, and Zeenath M A, secretary of ICE Sheroes, Kochi, who have been selected trainers of the foundation that works to promote cycling.
The campaign was launched at BCM College, Kottayam, last week. In the capital, the training was launched at the Vattiyurkavu Polytechnic as part of Kavu Fest, an initiative of V.K. Prasanth, MLA, with the aim of making his constituency cycle-friendly.
Standing on own feet
Ms. Zeenath says nearly 25 women had registered, of whom 18 learnt how to ride a bicycle. For the remaining, the training will continue at ICE, Vazhuthacaud. The idea, she says, is that those who have learnt to ride will then train other women.
“Cycling is not just about pursuing an interest or fitness. It is about mobility, becoming independent, confident, and standing on one’s own feet for women,” she says.
