In a noble initiative, GYM 45, a city-based fitness centre, is offering free cycle gear plus rides to Coimbatoreans in order to increase awareness on maintaining fitness by riding bicycles.

The initiative which was kick-started on Sunday will continue on all Sundays between 5.30 am and 8.00 pm at Race Course Road.

J. Siva Prakash, Managing Director of Gym 45 Fitness Centre, said that around 70 people participated in the opening day of the initiative. “We provide the riders with bicycles, helmets and other safety gear after they submit their ID cards, and they are allowed to cover the full distance of Race Course Road,” he said.

He further added that short races are conducted and prizes distributed on the spot to winners.

“We have 20 bicycles and we allow people to ride batch by batch,” added Prakash.

Mrs Almos, GYM 45 Fitness Consultant, said that apart from helping people remain fit, cycling will also help reduce the pollution level in the city.

“In foreign countries there is a huge shift towards using bicycles to stop pollution and it is high time we move towards that trend too,” she added.

Around 100 persons have registered for a ride next week.

For registration, call: 9840603333