Fit India Sundays on Cycle: Thousands ride across Telangana on World Bicycle Day
Synopsis
Telangana turned out in force for World Bicycle Day, with thousands cycling across the state under the Fit India Sundays on Cycle banner. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla flagged off the Hyderabad rally at Gachibowli — a sign of how a national fitness initiative has taken deep root, drawing defence forces, schools, and software companies into the same lane.
Key Takeaways
Thousands of citizens, athletes, and students cycled across Telangana on 7 June for World Bicycle Day .
Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla flagged off the main rally at Gachibowli Practice Stadium, Hyderabad .
The event was organised by the Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) and spanned hundreds of locations statewide.
Participants included personnel from the CRPF , Indian Air Force , CISF , police departments, schools, cycling clubs, and software companies.
The Fit India Movement , launched 29 August 2019 , has reached over 7 crore citizens and engaged more than 30 lakh cycling enthusiasts nationwide.
Thousands of citizens, athletes, students, and fitness enthusiasts took to their bicycles across Telangana on Sunday, 7 June, as the state marked World Bicycle Day with a special edition of the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative — one of the largest single-day cycling mobilisations the state has seen under the national fitness campaign.
Flagship Event at Gachibowli
The centrepiece of the celebrations was held at the Gachibowli Practice Stadium, Hyderabad, where Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla flagged off a cycle rally. Senior ministers, government officials, and sports administrators were present at the event, which was organised by the Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) under the state's Department of Sports.
Among the dignitaries were Minister for ITE&C, Industries and Commerce and Legislative Affairs Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for Youth Services and Sports Vakiti Srihari, Sports Advisor and Special Representative to the Government in New Delhi A.P. Jithender Reddy, Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, SATG Chairman Shivasena Reddy, and SATG Vice Chairman and Managing Director Dr A. Sonibala Devi.
What the Governor Said
Addressing participants, Governor Shukla underscored cycling's dual role in improving public health and reducing environmental impact. He urged citizens to adopt cycling as a regular daily habit, aligning the appeal with the broader objectives of the Fit India Movement.
How the Day Unfolded
Participants began gathering at the venue early in the morning, warming up with a Zumba session before joining the main cycle rally. After completing the ride, participants received medals and shared a community breakfast. The programme also featured yoga, Zumba, and rope skipping, reflecting the campaign's emphasis on making fitness accessible across all age groups.
Participation extended to hundreds of locations across the state and drew personnel from the CRPF, Indian Air Force, CISF, ITBP, CGDA, ESIC, police departments, sports academies, Khelo India Centres, educational institutions, cycling clubs, and software companies.
Scale of the Fit India Movement
The Fit India Movement, launched on 29 August 2019, aims to embed fitness into everyday Indian life. The Sundays on Cycle initiative has since grown into a nationwide campaign, reportedly engaging more than 30 lakh cycling enthusiasts and reaching over 7 crore citizens through on-ground events and awareness programmes. Organisers described the Telangana edition as embodying the spirit of Jan Bhagidari — people's participation — and a collective commitment to a cleaner, greener, and healthier India.
With participation spanning defence forces, educational institutions, and the private sector, the event signals growing mainstream adoption of cycling as both a fitness tool and an environmental statement.
Point of View
Not rally headcounts. Telangana's turnout, spanning defence forces, tech workers, and schoolchildren, suggests the campaign has broken out of its government-event silo. The harder question is whether a single Sunday rally translates into sustained daily cycling habits, especially in cities where cycling infrastructure remains inadequate. Until urban planners and the fitness movement converge on dedicated cycling lanes, the optics of mass rides risk outpacing the reality of everyday ridership.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fit India Sundays on Cycle?
Fit India Sundays on Cycle is a nationwide cycling initiative under the Fit India Movement, launched on 29 August 2019, which encourages citizens to cycle every Sunday to promote fitness and environmental awareness. It has reportedly engaged more than 30 lakh cycling enthusiasts and reached over 7 crore citizens through events and awareness programmes.
How did Telangana celebrate World Bicycle Day 2025?
Telangana held a special edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle on 7 June 2025, with the flagship event at Gachibowli Practice Stadium in Hyderabad, where Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla flagged off a cycle rally. Hundreds of locations across the state hosted parallel cycling and fitness activities.
Who attended the Hyderabad cycle rally on World Bicycle Day?
Senior dignitaries including Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister Vakiti Srihari, Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, and SATG Chairman Shivasena Reddy attended alongside Governor Shukla. Participants came from the CRPF, Indian Air Force, CISF, police departments, schools, and software companies.
What activities were held alongside the cycling rally?
Beyond cycling, the programme featured Zumba warm-up sessions, yoga, and rope skipping, along with medal distribution and a community breakfast after the ride. The multi-activity format reflects the campaign's aim to make fitness accessible to all age groups.
What is the Fit India Movement and when was it launched?
The Fit India Movement is a national initiative launched on 29 August 2019 to make fitness an integral part of daily life for Indians. It encompasses campaigns like Sundays on Cycle and has, according to organisers, reached over 7 crore citizens through on-ground events and awareness programmes.
