First cycle exhibition held in Kathmandu

The Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) organised a cycle expo in Thamel, Kathmandu, today.

The cycle exhibition held for the first time in Nepal aimed at expanding the interest of cycling from within a niche group to making it a necessity for everyone.

Ajay Narsingh Rana, an avid cyclist and also the national cycling coach, was the main organiser while OAC was the venue partner for the event sponsored by Switchback Nepal.

Rana said the main objective of the cycle expo is to bring together different cycle communities in the country where the participants and visitors could exchange knowledge about cycles and learn about various services including insurance, and hire purchase schemes offered to the cyclists.

Wide varieties of bicycles were exhibited at 10 stalls put up at the venue while presentations were also being made for the visitors.

Rana said the event also focused to grow bigger in near future and making the cycling platform for everyone.

The national cycling coach talked about the benefits of cycling. He said, “Cycling is beneficial for healthy living, it can gain access to the places where other vehicles cannot reach.” Further, he argued, “Lots of people bought bicycles out of necessity during the lockdown period, but afterwards they sold it back,” and added, “It cannot be predicted when we would face another kind of problem and the cycle could come into use.”

Rana was of the view that the cycle will have a good market in the country. He said a wide range and varieties of bicycles imported from abroad have already been sold out. He opined, “We need to amplify the voice to promote cycling and then the market will grow.”

Chhimi Gurung, former president of Nepal Cycling Association, who had put up a stall at the event, said Pokhara is more managed in urban settlement and is feasible for cycle lane in comparison to the road structures in Kathmandu. He opined that we have not filtered our minds regarding cycles as an alternative yet.

In the event, Himalayan General Insurance had brought insurance schemes for the cyclists while NMB Bank had been offering instalment for buying sleek bicycles.

The prices of wide varieties of cycles showcased at the stall put up by the Epic Mountainbike, Jhamsikhel ranged from Rs 70,000 to Rs 600, 000 for the high-end two-wheelers.