Around 4,000 cyclists will participate in the country’s largest bicycle rally, ‘Kora 2024,’ on Saturday, July 20th. Started in 2011 with 35 people, the Kora cycle journey begins from Patan in Lalitpur and ends in Nagbahal every year.

Kora 2024, organised to develop cyclist communities and promote bicycle culture across the country, this year has been organised in collaboration with Social Tours, Cycle City Network Nepal, Pangangre, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, and the USAID Clean Air Project, according to Raj Gyawali, the spokesperson for Kora 2024. He also mentioned that this is the country’s biggest bicycle rally. During the press conference, he stated that the riders will cover a distance of more than 200,000 kilometers, with events being organized in more than 15 different places in Nepal on the same day.

He said, “This is not just a cycle ride but a Mahajatra. During the cycling trip, participants will also collect funds for social causes, which will be used for the improvement of the pump track being built in Nepalgunj.”

He added, “Free insurance has been provided for the participants, and medals have also been arranged for all the participants.”

Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan, speaking at a press conference held at the Lalitpur Metropolitan City auditorium on Wednesday, highlighted the city’s efforts to develop and promote cycling culture, such as creating cycle lanes and bicycle stands. He noted that this cycle jatra will help in making the metropolis a smarter city.

He said, “It is necessary to create an environment where citizens can ride bicycles and develop bicycle culture. We are working to create bicycle lanes and bicycle stands to promote bicycles in Lalitpur, and we are supporting women cyclists. Cooperation with local efforts like ‘Kora’ will further support this campaign.” He wished Kora 2024 success and emphasized that the municipality would support this Jatra as much as possible.

Environmental activist Bhushan Tuladhar also spoke at the press conference, noting that most of the pollution in the valley is due to vehicle use.

He said, “If we promote bicycle culture, air pollution will decrease and the city will become healthier. This bicycle journey seems likely to contribute to this goal.”