Khawaja Zaheeruddin, the founder of Early Bird Riders (EBR), an association created with the goal of promoting cycling, has a passion for cycling and has been doing it for almost 50 years.
The 70-year-old ‘young’ man is based in Islamabad and has registered hundreds of women in the EBR club with a strong belief that by doing cycling they cannot only find a healthy physical activity but they can also remain mentally and socially fit.
Khawaja’s love for cycling is demonstrated by the fact that he travelled 280 kilometers to the Khunjerab Pass in Pakistan to commemorate his 70th birthday while the altitude was between 5000 and 15,000 feet.
“We always give examples of European countries of building cycle lanes, providing cycles on rent and feeling no embarrassment for riding the cheapest mode of transport but have never tried to present our own role model to the nation to follow ’’ talking to MM News Zaheer said
Khawaja said, unfortunately, cycling has been associated as a conveyance of gardeners, drivers and poor people.
In fact, it is an ideal vehicle not only of transport but also a cardiovascular exercise.
He is committed to raise awareness among the public that by just cycling, they may turn a new leaf in their life and can remain fit and healthy for a long time by establishing more branches of cycling clubs in other major cities around the country.
From Islamabad to Lahore and Gilgit to Hunza, according to Zaheer, he rode his bicycle with ease for a distance of 100 kilometres. He had already cycled to the dams at Patriata, Angora, Kallar Kahar, Katas Raj, Khan Pur, and Simli. He joins the club members and cyclists in Fatima Jinnah Park, where they don safety gear and appropriate cycling attire before setting off on their journey for fun, tourism, and awareness-raising.
Zaheer described his upbringing in Lahore after stating that he was born in Bara Mula, Srinagar, in 1949.”I began my professional career in the pharmaceutical industry and later, in 1980, became well-known for my dedication and hard work. I eventually relocated to Saudi Arabia to work for IBM, he recalled. His ability to speak many languages enabled him to work as a tour guide and teach students in Pakistan and the United States about entrepreneurship and language skills. He was given the opportunity to represent Pakistan in Bangladesh.
“In 1997, I shifted to Houston, USA with my family and continued my job as a business consultant and IT expert. I bought cycles for my whole family including spouse and did not discontinue cycling in USA. I loved to explore the natural splendor and beauty across the world and had seen around 52 countries but the beauty I had found in our own country is unprecedented so I decided to visit northern areas while riding a bicycle’’, he told.
Zaheer wished Pakistan could adopt European standards and dedicate cycling lanes in every city of Pakistan, which may invite more and more people to join this healthy activity.
