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| Sunday, 26 September 2004 |
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CYCLONE 2004 festival promises exciting fare by VIMUKTHI FERNANDO CYCLONE 2004, a cycling festival to promote the use of bicycles in Sri Lanka by the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG), National Mountain Biking Association (NMBA) and the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) will be held on November 7, 2004, at the Vihara Mahadevi Park, Colombo. The festival will comprise two cycle rallies, coming from North and South of Colombo, many cycling competitions and a cycling carnival, announced the organisers. Over 750 cyclists and 300 students are expected to participate in the rally from each location, said Amal Suriyage, President, NMBA. The competitions will include six mountain biking events including three for student participants under 13 years, 16 years and 19 years; and circuit events for racing and standard cyclists. The Colombo North rally starting from Ja-Ela Municipal Council will proceed along the Colombo-Negombo main road up to the new Kelani Bridge, Dr. Danister De Silva Mawatha, Dudley Senanayake Mawatha, Horton Place to Vihara Mahadevi Park while the Colombo South rally starting from Moratuwa, Tyronne Fernando Stadium will come through Galle Road up to Bambalapitiya Junction, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, D.S. Senanayake Mawatha, Horton Place to Vihara Mahadevi Park. Bicycle, the most available, affordable, user friendly and environment friendly vehicle in the country has not been given due recognition, said Dr. Visaka Hidellage, South-Asian Regional Director, ITDG. While there are over two million bicycles in Sri Lanka, lack of infrastructure, inadequate road network, increased number of traffic-related accidents, lack of cycle friendly traffic management systems, air pollution from vehicular emissions and lack of cycling friendly policies have deterred the masses from using bicycles. Increased use of bicycles not only bring solutions to traffic and fuel and environment problems but is a benefit to health as well, she said. Speaking on the occasion, Asad Salley, Deputy Mayor of Colombo said that the Colombo Municipal Council will make every effort to make Colombo a cycle friendly city since, cycling helps make a disciplined society. S. Jafferjee, former Secretary, CFSL, Inspector of Police, Sunil Pathiratne and officials from the ITDG, CFSL and NMBA also participated. |
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