NEW DELHI: The government should waive taxes on cycles that cost less than 5,000 to promote cycle-ownership in the country, a new study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) done in association with the All India Cycle Manufacturers Association said recently.

Stressing on the importance of cycling as a mode of transport, the report, titled "Pedalling towards a greener India: A report on promoting cycling in the country", said the government must come up with a policy mechanism for the cycling industry to make it globally competitive.

The report called for initiating a technology-support scheme.

"Cycle industry upgradation fund scheme (CUFS) should be introduced to provide support to the bicycle industry," the report said.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said use of bicycles should be promoted in a big way.

"Using cycle as a mode of transport has to be made a huge movement," the minister said.

He said if everyone takes up cycling, walking or running, 50 percent of their health problems will be taken care of and added that he would personally write to the surface transport and urban development ministers to take this idea forward.

R.K. Pachauri, director general of TERI said: "Cycling as a means of providing mobility has substantial benefits, such as lower levels of air pollution and affordability for the poorest sections of society. Additionally, for urban dwellers leading sedentary lives, the use of bicycles provide physical exercise which is good for physical and mental health."

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