It has been 15 years since the bicycle became an inseparable part of Vishnu's life. A native of Cherthala, Vishnu Kammath, is not just an ordinary cycle commuter. He is an active promoter of cycle journeys. This youngster, who works at FACT, takes the trip from Cherthala to Kochi, once every week, on a bicycle. With these weekly cycle trips, Vishnu aims to promote the idea of environmental-friendly modes of travel. Vishnu says that a few of his friends accompany him on cycles during his trip from Cherthala to Kochi. He observes that the number of people who are ready to give up the use of motor vehicles, for at least a day in a week, is significantly going up.
While discussing the need to promote cycle journeys, some of his friends said it was impossible to undertake long distance journeys on a bicycle. Vishnu decided to prove them wrong by taking a long distance trip on his cycle. Recently he went on a trip to Wagamon to promote the significance of travelling by cycle and also to make VHSS students aware about the various safety gears. Vishnu, who cycled to Wagamon VHSS, ended his trip by distributing a handbook about safety management written by Joby Kandanad to the school library. Through his cycle journeys, Vishnu aims to spread awareness about first aid, benefits of exercise and environment conservation etc. Vishnu says that he undertook this challenge to prove that cycle is an amazing means of travel, both for short and long distance journeys.
Vishnu was a class 8 student when his father bought him his first cycle. He still continues his friendship with the bicycle and regularly enjoys cycle rides. The one that he is currently using is his third cycle. But Vishnu says he didn't discard the two older ones. Those cycles are kept safely at his house in Cherthala.
Vishnu is a member of the Pedal Force Cycle Association in Thripunithura. He says that the association does a lot for promoting the importance of cycles. Last year, the association flagged off a project called 'Let's go to work on cycle' to promote the use of cycles as an alternative to motor vehicles. Vishnu and his friends conducted a patriotic rally from Thripunithura to the Kochi air force base to pay their respects to the soldiers who died in the Pulwama attack. He is happy that he has turned his friends and colleagues into cycle-lovers.
