More and more children as well adults are overweight/ obese. More and more parents are complaining that their kids are glued to smart phones, pads and computers. They lament that kids rarely venture out.

On the other hand, people have become more dependent on vehicles even for going shorter distances such as for buying groceries, stationeries or to a nearby paanwala. With easy availability of 2-wheelers (motor cycle, scooters or mopeds) are the worst as they can be navigated through narrow by lanes and there are no parking hassles and can be parked easily at a corner and the shopping done! It is as if people have ‘forgotten’ to walk and to cycle!

This is one of the main contributory factor of people having become obese, lethargic, less active and the fact that youngsters suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes and even heart ailments etc.

Cycling, the forgotten sport/ hobby, is making a comeback. More and more people are buying multi gear cycles and seen cycling long distances.

Cycling has the following benefits:

• Bicyling is an accepted form of aerobic exercise
• It exercises important muscles of the lower limb
• It increases cardiac endurance (capacity of heart to tolerate physical strain)
• It is environment friendly because it doesn’t emit fumes or smoke and doesn’t pollute the air.
• It does not any make noise, so no noise pollution
• It is the easiest and cheapest mode of transport.
• Teenagers can even go to school (if within manageable distance) and run errands for the family – this inculcates a sense of responsibility & participation.
• Strong recommendation: buy your child a bicycle and insist on him/ her riding it daily – for at least 30 minutes.

Dr Satish Kanojia, Practising Homoeopathy & Biochemic since last 20 years; He is Assistant editor of National Journal of Homoeopathy, India’s largest Homoeopathic Journal. Dr Satish has rich experience in writing research articles, creating MCQs, Academic Crosswords and Sudokus