Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has called on all civil servants and political appointees to embrace bicycle rides for health benefits and better service delivery.
Akeredolu made the call at the World Bicycle Week Programme organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, on Friday in Akure the state capital.
Akeredolu, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistance on Transport, Tobi Ogunleye, said that riding of a bicycle was not an act of poverty, rather, it would make people healthy and avoid unnecessary sickness.
“Riding a bicycle is not a act of poverty, it is a way to train ourselves to be properly healthy, and to avoid sickness or diseases. We have a lot of sick people, especially with diabetes, rheumatism, and the others but when you make riding a bicycle as your life, you will be more fit.
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“So, let our people, especially commissioners, permanent secretaries, business tycoons and civil servants embrace the use of bicycles, because it will improve our health and increase our service delivery to the people of the state”, he said.
Earlier, Ezekiel SonAllah, FRSC State Sector Commander, who said that the programme was to create awareness to people about the importance of bicycles, reiterated the commitment that no life would be lost in the cause of statutory duties in the state.
“Cycling is the one of those things that actually improve the efficiency of human beings, which everybody must include in their daily routine. I want to appeal to people, especially the young and old, to see cycling as a way of keeping fit their body system.
“And for those who participated, I believe we have a new life now, cycling is one of the best way of exercise we need to be doing every day”, he said.
Also, Dr Tunde Ade, Chairman of Bicycle and Cycling of Ondo State, appreciated the FRSC commander for the initiative of the programme in the state.
“When you ride a bicycle, you are doing so much good to yourself, because all the joints will be renewed and ailments will move away from you”, Ade said.
Similarly, Herry Babatunde, General Manager, Ondo Sport Council, who also participated in the cycling, called on parents, schools, and individuals to see cycling as a way to improve physical fitness and health.
“For those who are not taking part in sports, this is the opportunity for them to ensure that they exercise their body regularly, it will assist those with obesity to loss weight and also promote mobility of their joints.
