More than 1,000 participants from different walks of life came together in Nangal on Sunday morning to celebrate World Bicycle Day during the second edition of “The Bhakra Ride" organised by Nangal By Cycle (NBC) under the Fit India Movement.
Supported by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the Ministry of Power, the event was held at the BBMB Auditorium and witnessed enthusiastic participation from cyclists, runners, students, families, healthcare professionals, volunteers and fitness enthusiasts. The event began with participant registration followed by an energetic bhangra warm-up session. Organisers had designed three categories to encourage people of all age groups to adopt active lifestyles.
The flagship Bhakra Ride (25 km) took participants from Nangal towards the iconic Bhakra Dam area, combining endurance cycling with an opportunity to experience one of the country’s major engineering landmarks. A 10-km ‘City Ride’ catered to recreational cyclists and fitness enthusiasts, while the 5-km ‘Fun Ride and Run’ offered a family-friendly platform for children, senior citizens, walkers, runners and first-time cyclists.
Security arrangements for the event were coordinated with the support of the Punjab Police and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The event received support from Gurpreet Kaur Deo, Director General of Police, Punjab, DSP Naveen Pal Singh Lehal, and the Punjab Police team, while CISF arrangements were overseen by Commandant Prateek Raghuvanshi.
Among the dignitaries present were CP Singh, Chief Engineer, BBMB. Addressing participants, Gurpreet Kaur Deo stressed the need to make fitness an integral part of everyday life. She described cycling as one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay healthy and urged people of all ages to embrace active lifestyles. She also highlighted the importance of road safety, responsible cycling practices and the use of protective gear such as helmets.
Beyond promoting fitness, the event also focused on social causes. In collaboration with SOTTO Punjab and Livasa Hospitals, organisers conducted awareness campaigns on organ donation, encouraging participants to pledge their organs and help save lives. Messages related to traffic discipline and responsible road use were also disseminated during the program. Livasa Hospitals provided medical support, with healthcare teams and ambulance services stationed at the venue throughout the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Rohit Garg, Founder of Nangal By Cycle, said The Bhakra Ride was not just a cycling event but a movement that promoted fitness, community spirit, volunteerism, road safety, environmental awareness and social responsibility.
The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony. Organisers said the success of the event had further strengthened NBC’s mission of expanding awareness about cycling, fitness, road safety, blood donation and organ donation across more than 100 villages in the region.
