As an advocate for environmental issues through his long-range cycling throughout the world, Indian environmentalist Dr Raj Phanden (known as Cycle Baba) travelled more than thirty countries while promoting environmental awareness through cycling.
Dr Phanden faced many challenges during his trip through Bangladesh, including numerous practical and environmental obstacles associated with cycling on the country’s crowded, dangerous roadways.
Cycle Baba cites traffic safety concerns as his worst experience cycling through Bangladesh, mostly due to the large volume of traffic on urban roadways and a lack of discipline among Bangladeshi motorists. For example, cities such as Dhaka have a high volume of traffic, including large vehicles, rickshaws, motorcycles, and private cars, sharing the same roadways.
Large vehicles pose a significant danger to long-distance cyclists due to the absence of dedicated bicycle lanes. Furthermore, cyclists are frequently forced to ride along the shoulder of high-speed highways and risk their lives riding close to other vehicles. Overall, the roadway conditions throughout the entire country made Cycle Baba’s trip physically strenuous and mentally exhausting.
Limited Cycling Infrastructure
A big challenge that Cycle Baba encountered was that there wasn’t any specific cycling infrastructure. In Bangladesh, compared to much of the western world, there is no dedicated cycle lane compared to those countries. Additionally, in some cities where a cycle lane may be present, sometimes those lanes are taken up with parked vehicles or people doing business or walking.
As a result of this, Cycle Baba couldn’t keep his route in a straight line and was often forced to ride down busy streets or on poorly maintained country roads. Additionally, the lack of amenities associated with cyclist-friendly facilities—such as rest stops, areas to repair bicycles, and safe places to park their bicycles—compounded the difficulty of cycling long distances.
The Weather and Climate Impacts
The climate of Bangladesh has also presented unique challenges while riding through a number of different climatic conditions. In general, the climate of Bangladesh consists of high humidity and heavy amounts of rain during the monsoon periods.
These types of extreme climate can make it very easy for someone riding long distances to dehydrate quickly and become fatigued and exhausted. Further, while riding during a monsoon, cyclists are often subject to being rained on suddenly, making the roads difficult to travel due to flooding. This unpredictability with the weather requires careful planning when riding.
Health and Travel Difficulties
Long-distance cycling often has health and logistical issues associated with it, including needing clean water and good food to maintain endurance. During parts of his journey, Cycle Baba relied on local establishments and bottled water for hydration. Finding safe places to stay and secure locations to keep his bike were also difficulties Cycle Baba faced while biking through crowded, urban regions.
FAQs
Who is Cycle Baba?
Dr Raj Phanden is an Indian environmental advocate whose nickname is Cycle Baba. He is well-known for biking throughout the world to raise awareness about protecting our planet.
What was Cycle’s purpose for riding his bicycle across Bangladesh?
Cycle Baba travelled through Bangladesh as part of a worldwide cycling campaign to raise awareness about the necessity of protecting our planet and how to live sustainably.
What were some of the biggest difficulties Cycle faced during his time in Bangladesh?
Heavy traffic and no designated bike lanes were two significant challenges Cycle encountered during his biking journey.
Did the weather have any impact on Cycle’s journey?
100 per cent, high humidity, heat and heavy monsoon rains made long-distance cycling more difficult.
What type of promotion does Cycle Baba do through his cycling?
Cycle Baba uses his cycling to promote protecting the planet and creating awareness around climate change. He encourages individuals to adopt more sustainable living practices.
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