IMPHAL, March 18: Manipur Cycle Club (MCC) will start producing ‘Bamboo Cycles’ in collaboration with South Asia Bamboo Foundation in Manipur propagating a healthier and pollution less environment.
James Mayengbam, advcacy official of MCC said that the Manipur Cycle Club which will two years old soon has been endorsing a less polluted environment and a healthier lifestyle. The cycle club which has more than thousands of member has been carrying out ‘Critical Masses’, a cycling event where cyclist converge together at every last Sunday of each month and ride about town distributing pamphlets and propagating cycling as an efficient means to getting around Imphal city.
In furtherance of the said agenda, the MCC had forwarded a proposal to the South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SaBF) stating that a particular bamboo which is found in Chandel and Churachandpur has the resilience to make up the main frame of the cycle.It may be mentioned that cycles frames are made up of aluminum or steel.
Ram Wankheirakpam, vice president of MCC told IFP, “ We are going to produce the bamboo bicycle on an experimental basis. We will test it for six months to assess the economic feasibility”. He said that Imphal city has remained a congested area with the unchecked rise of motor vehicles , specially two wheelers ,adding that the roads have been taken over by the petrol guzzling motors.
“First six prototypes will be produced at low costs, the durability of the cycles will also be tested to ascertain its feasibility for marketing”, Ram of MCC further stated.
He also mentioned that such an endeavor will be in furtherance of utilizing the natural resources (bamboo) in the state and towards skill development of artisans and entrepreneurs. “ The scope of bamboo cycles is aimed at developing the tourism scenario in the state also”, he added.
In this regard, Manipur Cycle Club in collaboration with South Asia Bamboo Foundation is going to organize a bamboo cycle building workshop beginning April 1 which will continue for 5 days.
MCC also notified that interested candidates eager to participate in the bamboo cycle workshop can submit their resume at Jupiter Yambem Centre located at Paona Bazar, Moreh Market.