Chandigarh: In an initiative to promote cycling in Chandigarh, the city administration in association with a tourism body will observe Saturday as 'Chandigarh Cycle Day'.

A cycle rally has been planned Saturday by Chandigarh's tourism department in collaboration with Society For Tourism And Entertainment Promotion (STEP).

"More than 500 members from various organisations and institutions in Chandigarh and its surrounding towns will participate in the three-km cycle rally," a spokesperson of Chandigarh tourism said here Thursday.

Representatives of various institutions like Chandigarh tourism, STEP, Chandigarh industrial and tourism development corporation limited (CITCO), Dell, Infosys, Yuvsatta (an NGO), British Library, Punjab University, State Bank of India, Punjab engineering college and Chandigarh choir are participating in the rally.

In the past too, Chandigarh tourism in collaboration with various organisations has conducted such rallies in the city to promote cycling.

"We have decided to observe every third Saturday of August as Chandigarh cycle rally day. The purpose of this will be to promote cycling culture as a healthy and pollution free activity," said a senior official of the Chandigarh tourism department.

"Chandigarh, with its open roads and greenery, is well suited for cycling, and we are hopeful that tourists will enjoy this activity." the official said.