Background and Objective

Pokhara Mayor Cycle Race is one of the flagship programs of Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC), which occurs annually on the occasion of Nepali New Year i.e., Mid-April of Gregorian calendar. Generally, the Cycle race happens along with the national Mayor conference—the event of first of this kind in the Nepal, especially after restructuring of the nation into federal system. The major objectives of the Mayor Cycle Race are:

• Establishing a culture of learning and sharing among the local governments with the means of loose and informal platform i.e. Mayor Conference,
• Promoting Green initiatives and lobby for low carbon as well as carbon neutral mass campaign to help tackle with the adverse impacts of climate change, and
• Help promote eco-tourism in the Pokhara, especially to revive from the Covid-19 pandemic.

First Mayor Race 2021 (Baishak 01, 2078)

The first Mayor Cycle Race was organized during the Nepali new year of 2078 (13^th and 14^th April 2021). The first day (13^th April) was Mayor conference where about 50 Mayors and Palika Chairs were present along with similar numbers of delegate members from the respective municipalities and rural municipalities. However, more than 100 additional mayors and chairs had shown interest to participate the first ever event but they could not make that happen due to cancellation of flights caused by bad weather.

• PMC Dy. Mayor Manjudevi Gurung welcomed the delegates.
• PMC Mayor Man Bdr. GC gave key note speech highlighting the major initiatives of PMC in implementing the federal system and sharing the lesson learned so far. He also proposed the 5 members’ committee for preparation of Pokhara Declaration.
• One of the mayors from each province was given time to present their learning, experiences and innovative programs/schemes they have been implementing including success stories.
• Two chairs of rural municipalities were also given opportunities to share their thoughts, experiences and success stories.
• The only Female Mayor from Putalibazar municipality was given special presence in the dais and provided opportunities to present her views.
• Chief guest and chief minister of Gandaki Province Prithivi Subba Gurung gave his special remarks with insightful analysis of implementation of federal system and the learning and experiences so far. His focus was on the capacity enhancement of the local government’s institutions and building robust governance system.

All of the speakers acknowledged the PMC for such an innovative platform and providing opportunities putting they learning and sharing in the gathering. They expressed their interest to join hands in the days to come in such a great initiative.

The Cycle Race (14^th April)

All the participants including guests and delegates from all over the country and local cycle campaigners (led by Cycle City Pokhara) were gathered at the Hallan Chock (the bank of Fewa lake) for the Cycle competition where traditional Nepali band and cultural attires were presented. All the cycle riders were given a t-shirt where the 85 KM long Lake-to-Lake Cycle Route was branded/printed.

• The race started at 8:30 from the Hallan Chowk and the rally passes through the Lake-to-Lake cycle route up to Sahid chowk and turned towards the Srijana chowk and ended at the City Hall (shavagriha).
• Mayor (Mr. Deelip Pratap Khand) of Walling Municipality (Syanja District) won the race.
• The winners were awarded with the special medals whereas all the participants were felicitated by a trophy.
• Some senior cyclists who played very instrumental role in promoting cycle culture in Pokhara were honored with letter of appreciation and token of love.

The cyclists who won medals in the XIII South Asian Games for Nepal were honored with awards and one who was from PMC awarded with NPR 100,000 cash prize as well.