Move aside, traffic jams and honking horns—Chattogram is taking the “pedal to the metal” quite literally! In a scene straight out of a feel-good blockbuster, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain ditched their VIP motorcades to hop on two wheels, kicking off the grand opening of Bangladesh’s very first official cycle track.
Held on the scenic Airport Road in Patenga, the star-studded rollout was all about bringing fun, fitness, and fresh air back to the streets.
And the Finance Minister didn’t hold back on the inspiration. “We must create spaces for those who ride bicycles and love cycling!” he told the cheering crowd, proving that the government’s playlist is set to “inclusive beats” for everyone.
Pointing out that the rest of the world has long embraced the two-wheel commute, he joked about our indoor gym habits: “To stay healthy, people ride stationary bikes at home—but hey, bikes are meant for the road, right?”
What has been done for cyclists today is only the beginning,” he said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the country’s first cycle track on Airport Road in Patenga as the chief guest on Friday (October 9).
Addressing the mental health blues of being cooped up indoors, the Minister emphasized that hitting the pavement isn’t just a luxury—it’s a lifestyle upgrade. “This is not a luxury; it’s a daily necessity of life. These are the demands of ordinary citizens in a civilized, developed country!”
He even issued a friendly, on-stage challenge to local lawmakers Ershad Ullah, Abu Sufian, and Enam: time to gear up and build more tracks and walkways in your neighborhoods, with full VIP backing guaranteed!
With the Mayor leading the charge and the Finance Minister cheering from the saddle, Chattogram’s cycling revolution has officially crossed the starting line. Helmets on, everyone—the ride has just begun!
