Cycle To Work

Cycle To School

Under the theme of “Cycle to Work” for the month of June, we extended the initiative to students through “Cycle to School”, in collaboration with St. Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel, and the SXJ Alumni Association. This event was a truly inspiring experience, as students from Classes 7, 8, 9, and 10 actively participated, demonstrating their enthusiasm and willingness to embrace cycling as a daily mode of transport.

Previously, only 6 to 7 students would cycle to school regularly, but on June 5, 2024, we witnessed a remarkable shift—17 young cyclists rode their bicycles from home to school, marking a small yet significant step towards sustainable urban mobility. The joy, energy, and determination of these students reflected the power of behavioral change in action.

At Nepal Cycle Society, we firmly believe that cycling should be more than just an occasional activity—it must become a daily habit to ensure long-term sustainability. If we fail to integrate cycling into our routine, we inevitably resort to motorized vehicles for convenience, leading to increased pollution, traffic congestion, and reduced physical activity. However, before prioritizing comfort, we must recognize the essential role of physical movement in maintaining both mental and physical well-being.

This is why we are actively working towards instilling behavioral change in young minds, fostering a new generation that prioritizes sustainable mobility and environmental consciousness. By raising awareness and providing practical experiences, we aim to empower youth to be the agents of change in the fight against climate change. These young cyclists are not just participants—they are the future leaders who will shape the way our cities grow and evolve.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to St. Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel, and the SXJ Alumni Association for their unwavering support and collaboration in making this event a success. This is just the beginning—more exciting mobility-focused events are on the way, so stay tuned and continue supporting the movement for active and sustainable mobility!

A special thanks to Pancbike for generously sponsoring cycling jackets for the students, ensuring they ride with comfort and style.

Cycle To Work(Experience)

Thank you so much Bina Ranjit Lawati Ji for sharing your “Cycle to Work” Story with us, now let’s go into the story of Veena Ranjit Lawanti Ji,

I am Bina Ranjit Lawati, working as an HR Manager at USAID Early Grade Learning. I want to share my bicycling journey with you all. What started as a simple effort to help the environment has become a fulfilling and health-boosting habit. Reflecting on this path, I feel a deep sense of accomplishment and connection with nature and my well-being.
A few months ago, I decided to reduce my carbon footprint by borrowing my partner’s bike for short trips. Initially, my goal was environmental, aiming for cleaner air and less traffic. Eventually, I progressed to commuting to work via cycling. I noticed improvements in my health and mood. Regular cycling boosted my stamina, helped me shed some weight, and became a joyful, relaxing routine. Despite challenges like bad weather or fatigue, the purpose of contributing to a healthier planet and a healthier me kept me going.

We thank Mr. Jun Kudo for sharing your cycling-to-work experience with us. He is currently associated with JICA Nepal. Let’s read his story.
“Before coming to Nepal, I used to commute by car in Bhutan, but I switched to commuting by cycle after coming to Nepal. Thanks to around 40 minutes of cycling in a day, I have significantly increased my daily aerobic exercise time and managed my health.
I had also commuted to the office in Japan by bicycle. However, it had been difficult to ride on a bicycle in the winter due to snow. So, I feel that Kathmandu is good for commuting by bicycle. It doesn’t take much longer compared with commuting by car.
I hope more people use bicycles for their health as well as the environment in this city.”

Thank you so much Prof Dr पबन कुमार शर्मा Aged 63 for sharing your cycling-to-work journey with us. Dr Paban is well known Senior Consultation Gynecologist Surgeon and Rector of the Patan Hospital.
Let’s see what पबन कुमार शर्मा has to say about his cycling habits,
म एक प्राध्यापक र चिकित्सक हुँ।
साइकल मैले केटाकेटी देखीन चढ्न थालेकोहुँ। तर कार्यस्थलमा नियमित रुपमा नै जाने आउने गरेको भने पाँच छ बर्ष भयो होला। मैले पहिला कारमा हिड्दा बर्षमा ५००० किलोमिटर जति चलाउथें।अहिले म काठमाडौंमा कतै एक्लै जानुपर्दा र कार्यस्थलमा जानुपर्दा साइकलमै जान्छु सकेसम्म। यसप्रकार म बर्षमा ५५०० किलोमीटर चलाउदो रहेछु।
१. मैले एक बर्षमा १.४ मेट्रिक टन कार्बन बचाउदो रहेछु र साथसाथै नाइट्रोजन अक्साइड, hydrocarbon र अरु particulate matter नफाल्ने रहेछु।
२. म ध्वनी प्रदूषण निकै कम गर्ने रहेछु।
३. मेरो कारणले सडक जाम नहुने रै छ। कार्यस्थलमा मेरो कारणले पार्किङको समस्या नहुने रैछ।
४. मलाई पहिला गाडी चड्दा एक महिनामा कम्तीमा एक फूल गाडिको ट्याङ्क भर्ना पर्थ्यो भने अहिले बर्षमा बढीमा दुई पटक मात्र।
५. यस्को अलाबा मैले आफूले स्वस्थताको पनि अनुभव गरिरहेको छु। मैले अलग ब्यायाम गर्नु परेको छैन।
६. म कार्यस्थल जाने समयलाई लम्ब्याएर आजभोली दैनिक २०-३० किलोमिटर साइकल चलाउछु।
साइकललाई आफ्नो दैनिक बनाऔं र समाज र प्रकृति स्वस्थ राखौं।

Thank you so much Gaurav Panthi Ji for sharing your “Cycle to Work” Story.

Now Lets see what Gaurav Panthi Ji have to say about “Cycle to Work”,
सानोहुदा साइकल चड्दा रमाइलो लाग्थ्यो तर ठुलो भएपछि साइकल चढेको थिइन। मास्टर्स डिग्रीको बेलुकाको क्लास र नाकाबन्दीको असरले साइकल किनायो। चलाउदै जादा सजिलो र रमाइलो लागेपछि, किन्ने बेलामा १-२ वर्ष चलाउछु भनेर किनेको साइकल आठ वर्ष पछि पनि चलाई रहेको छु। साइकलको महत्व र फाइदा बुझ्दै गएपछि यस प्रति झन् लगाब बढेको छ। तिन वर्ष भन्दा बढी समयदेखि त नियमित रुपमा अफिस जादा र फर्किदा साइकल नै प्रयोग गरिरहेको छु। मंडिखाटार देखि लाजिम्पाट सम्मको दुरी साइकलमा १५-२० मिनेट मा पुगिन्छ र यस्तो दुरीमा साइकल नै उत्कृस्ट साधन हो जस्तो लाग्छ। शाररिक ब्यायम संगै साइकल चड्दा आउने आनन्द ले शरिरमा उर्जा पनि थपेको जस्तो लाग्छ।
गौरव पन्थी
उनी विपद् जोखिम न्यूनीकरणको क्षेत्रमा काम गर्छन र हाल JICA Nepal Office-JICA मा कार्यरत छन्

Thank You so much Suman Thapa Ji from Laxmi Sunrise Bank
Hattisar, Kathmandu. for sharing your mobility story,
Theme: Cycle to Work Laxmi Sunrise Bank
बैंकमा कामगर्ने म प्राय आफ्नो गाडीमा अफिस जाने गर्देथे । घर देखी अफिस पुग्न गाडीमा करिब ३० मिनट लाग्दछ । घरबाट सधै ८:५५ म निस्कने म एकदिन कामले गर्दा ९:१५ मा मात्र निस्कन पाए । साइकलमा अलि चाडै हुन्छ कि भनेर साइकल लिएर निस्केको म त्यस दिन आफिसमा ९:२५ मा हजिर गर्दा आफैलाई पत्त्यार लगेन । गाडीमा ३० मिनेट लग्ने बाटो साइकलमा १० मिनेटमा पुगिदो रैछ । यसरी दैनिक आउजाउ गर्दा करिब ४० मिनेट बचत हुने रैछ । त्यस दिन देखी बाहिर मिटिङ्ग वा अफिस पछी कही जानु नपर्ने दिनमा प्राय साइकलमा अफिस आउने गर्दछु । यस्ले मेरो शरिरमा फुर्ती पनि बडाएको छ भने मासिक पेट्रोल खर्चमा पनि करिब ५००० बचत हुन थलेको छ । बातावरण मैत्री र सडकमा हुने सवारी चाप कम गर्न केहि हदसम्म भएपनी मद्दत पुर्याउन कोसिश गर्न पाएकोमा खुशी लाग्दछ । बिहान हरेक दिन १० देखी १५ कि मि अनि अफिस आउजाउ जोडडा दैनिक १५ देखी २० कि मि चलाउछु । यसरि चलाउदा ५ के जि तौल पनि घटेको छ ।

Thank you so much Aya Iwatsuji for sharing your Cycle to Work Story with us, Let’s listen to her story,
I started my life in Kathmandu a year ago and cycling has become the best option for my transportation within the valley! Kathmandu is quite a good size to move around by bicycle, no need for vehicles from my view. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable with unpaved roads, big volumes of vehicles/motorbikes, and air pollution. But it’s still more refreshing than my travel experience in Japan where I had to spend 2 hours in a very crowded train commuting to the office every day…
Let us enjoy bicycling for our health and save the beautiful nature of the Himalayas!
Aya Iwatsuji
Currently working at JICA Nepal Office JICA Nepal Office-JICA