Evening Cycle Rally 2011- 'Get Visible'

by Samriddhi Dhakal

Graffiti by: Anil Udaya Photo By: Samir Maharjan

On November 19, 2011 to mark the black spot, Kathmandu Cycle City 2020- CCNN, made a graffiti of Ghost Bicycle at Balkhu where eminent conservation biologist and nature lover Late Dr. Pralad Yonzon lost his life in a bicycle accident, hit by a truck on October 31, 2011. Every time someone passes by that graffiti will be reminded that a great soul died in that spot in a bicycle accident.

Photo By: Rajan Kathet

On the evening of the same day, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm more than 100 cyclists joined us in an “evening cycle rally 2011” first of its kind in Nepal. The theme of this rally was “Get Visible”, especially at night. We provided participants with reflectors and safety tips to abide by during night cycling. This overwhelming participation and support from cyclists have further proved our point for cycle safety and necessity of cycling infrastructures on the streets of Kathmandu which is not friendly enough for safe bicycle riding, whether at day or night. However, cycling at night is full of risks: our streets have no sufficient lights, full of potholes, there is no speed limit for riding and no lane segregation for motorized and non-motorized vehicles has been done. Since we had made it a compulsion that everyone come with lights, mass of cyclist illuminated the streets throughout the route of rally.

Late Dr. Pralad Yonzon        (photo by: Rajan Kathet)

At Balkhu, in the spot where Late. Dr. Pralad Yonzon’s accident occurred one minute silence for peace of the departed soul was observed. Then the rally went to Resources Himalayas, brainchild of Late Dr. Yonzon where we paid an homage to him.


We would like to thank Mr. Anil Uday for helping us with the graffiti making. Dr. Sameer Mani Dixit for his support and encouragement, Chepang's Mountain Bike Club, World Cyclists Foundation- Nepal, Nepal Cycling Association- Kavre chapter, Clean Air Network Nepal, Chain Bikes, Kathmandu Bike Station, Epic Mountain Bikes, and all the cycling clubs and enthusiasts who made this event successful.


Kathmandu Cycle City 2020, CCNN

CCNN (KCC2020) members as of November 19, 2011

CCNN (KCC2020) members as of November 19, 2011