World Bicycle Day 2026: Make cycling a part of your life, Mansukh Mandaviya tells youth

Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has made a special appeal to the country's youth on the World Bicycle Day: Make cycling a part of your life. Extending greetings to citizens on the occasion, the minister described cycling as not just a form of exercise or a one-day hobby, but a symbol of a healthy and empowered lifestyle.

World Bicycle Day is observed every year on June 3 to recognise the bicycle as a simple, affordable, reliable and environmentally friendly mode of transport.

Listing several advantages of the activity, he said: "It keeps us fit, energises our bodies, and also improves our mental well-being."

It also helps reduce air pollution, lowers traffic congestion, and encourages physical fitness, making it beneficial for both individuals and communities.

Cycling most affordable, beautiful, sustainable ways to protect health and environment: Dr Mansukh Mandaviya

The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, and of Labour and Employment, advocated for making cycling part of routine life given its is "one of the most affordable, beautiful, and sustainable ways to protect both our health and the environment". "The more we use bicycles, the less pollution there will be, and the country will also benefit through savings in petrol and diesel consumption. In this era of global challenges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also urged citizens to reduce their dependence on petrol and diesel-powered vehicles. In this context, cycling emerges as an effective and positive solution," said Dr Mandaviya.

The youth affairs and sports minister's remarks came roughly a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a seven-point appeal to citizens, asking them to conserve foreign exchange (forex) amid global economic uncertainty.

Urging families to avoid buying gold for weddings for one year, the PM explained that the nation imports massive gold quantities using valuable foreign exchange. He also called on citizens to postpone foreign vacations and travel, reduce unnecessary petrol and diesel consumption by using metro rail, car-pooling, electric vehicles (EVs) and railways. He also encouraged citizens to revive work-from-home practices, cut cooking oil consumption, halve chemical fertiliser usage, and avoid foreign-branded products while supporting domestic goods.

The appeal linked rising oil prices and gold imports to pressure on the rupee and forex reserves during the West Asia conflict and energy crisis, emphasising collective public participation to protect the country's external financial stability during global volatility.

'Sundays on Cycle' give fresh momentum to PM's Fit India Movement: Dr Mansukh Mandaviya

The minister said that campaigns such as Sundays on Cycle have given fresh momentum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Fit India Movement.

"Millions of young people across the country are actively participating and turning this campaign into a mass movement. I sincerely thank all of you for the affection, support, and energy that you have contributed to this initiative," said Dr Mandaviya.

What is Fit India Movement?

The prime minister launched the Fit India Movement in August 2019 with a view to make physical fitness a way of life. The initiative aims to promote fitness as a regular part of everyday life. Under the drive, the government has time and again encouraged people to set aside a few minutes each day for physical activity, whether through sports, exercise or other forms of movement.

The movement has reached millions of people across schools, colleges, workplaces and villages throughout the length and breadth of the country, pushing for activities including yoga, cycling, plog runs and traditional Indian sports.

"You would agree that 'How to Live' ought to be the first pillar of formal education," said the Union Minister to the country's youth. "This involves teaching and practicing the art of taking care of one's body and health every day. Therefore, schools have to be the first formal institution after home where physical fitness is taught and practiced," he noted.

Start 'Sundays on Cycle' from June 7

On the coming Sunday, the Sundays on Cycle event will be dedicated to World Bicycle Day across the country, said Dr Mandaviya. "I urge all young people to participate enthusiastically, register themselves on the Fit India App, and encourage their friends and family members to join as well," he said.

He urged everyone to take a pledge, on the occasion of World Bicycle Day, to make cycling a part of daily routine and contribute towards building a fit, healthy and developed nation.