Bicycle tourism

Tourism is a natural gift for non-industrialised countries. 'Eco-tourism' is the best, and bicycle tourism is at or near the top of the list of eco-tourism. Bicycle tourism is on target for the current tourism trends of nostalgia -- escape to the sweet safe past. Tourists look for a unique different vacation which is individualised and well-organised so that it is easy and hassle-free.

For decades, the types and modes of travelling have been reshaped by cultural diversification where tourism has taken a different form, which means, it brings changes and benefits to the community. Comparing the environment of Bangladesh with other south Asian countries, the practice of bicycle tourism is worthwhile. Developing countries are more trend followers than developed countries. Bangladesh maintained some trends during the last couple of decades. Just think about music revolution in Bangladesh. Pop music had been most popular after 1960s. Suddenly guitar sales had increased in the market and almost every citified teen longed for buying guitars. The new trends are enthusiasm for photography and riding bicycle. Now-a-days there is a craze to have a camera and a lovely bicycle. Trend always brings something good.  

Though classic tourism revolves around motor vehicles, bicycle travelling is now more active, and sometimes more interactive than sight-seeing by car, van or bus. Bangladesh has long borders and a number of immigration and custom check posts on the border with India. So it is never tough to get an entry to Bangladesh after someone has done a ride in India. There is a very famous route from Karachi to Chittagong which was actually a rail route established by the British government mostly known as the Imperial Way. Indeed, riding in Bangladesh is not like riding in Nepal or India or elsewhere. The people are very curious and helpful.

The most beautiful sights Bangladesh can offer are its villages and small and narrow feeder dirt roads through them. It has nearly 80,000 villages. Sylhet is the best for a few days' ride. It is commonly known as Little Darjeeling, without the steep climbs. It is green and tea gardens are almost everywhere. The roads are well paved. This trip can start from Dhaka to Sylhet covering some small towns in between. So it is enchanting for the south Asian cyclists to get a visit in the school of life - Beautiful Bangladesh. It is clear that encouraging bicyclists to stop in any community will benefit the economy. The bicycle activity by local people is a good indicator. As levels of bicycle use by residents are increasing, it is a good indication that it will be good cycling for visitors. It will take a lot of work to create dramatic increases in bicycle tourism. We can start by: protecting the environment, making society and infrastructure bicycle friendly, informing the businesses how to serve bicyclists, framing their recognition as bicycle activists and then getting the word out that bicycle tourism is fun and exciting in Bangladesh.

giushyderchowdhury92@gmail.com