When I cycled down from Nagarkot to Sankhu, on a bumpy road full of pebbles and potholes, I was being unjust to two things: the hired mountain bike and my back. The bicycle owner had warned me: “It’s American and costs almost Rs two lakh, so handle it with care.” But once I was off on this steep road, there was no looking back. The speed picked up as I came across innumerable rough bends. Suddenly, it dawned on me that I had to protect my back, rather than the bicycle.

Upon arriving at Sankhu, I felt proud to have fallen a couple of times only, sustaining minor injuries. I had to be extra-cautious to cope with the dangerous trail. However, the greenery around helped me realise one thing: by using a cycle, I was being just to the pristine environs. The expensive American cycle and my back were indeed of less importance.

As I continued my ride on the metalled road towards Thali, vehicles fit for the Archaeology Department, literally drove me up the wall. Deafening horns and jet black smoke were the two distinct characteristics of the vehicles plying on the road. As if this was not enough to scare me away, a worn out pick-up hit a pothole and offered me a free shower. I had no option than to thank the guruji!

Some glittering motorbikes also zoomed past. And this reminded me of a chat I overheard between two teenagers. One of them showing off his brand new cycle said: “Though I don’t really need it, my dad bought it for me on my securing first division in the SLC exam.” This, I think, is probably an inkling of alien culture where people often buy things they don’t really need, with money they don’t really have, in a bizarre pursuit of happiness.

I remember a reader who once sent a letter to the editor saying: “People buy vehicles which consume more fuel, thereby, polluting the environment more.” This justified my idea of hiring a cycle instead of opting for some foul-smelling vehicle. Statistics reveal that Britain can save billions in road transport costs if more people took to cycling. A British Buddhist thus questioned: “Can the pollution created due to my travelling to the work place be reduced?” Can’t we take a cue from this?