The Pune Pedal Power Foundation is committed to promoting cycles as the first choice of mobility for short distances and making Pune a cycle-friendly city. Known as ‘The Oxford of the east', courtesy the number of students, Pune has a history of cycling and lays claim to the maximum number of cycles and longest cycle tracks. This rally aims to encourage people from all walks of life to cycle short distances.

The rally will be held on June 3, in association with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), to celebrate World Environment Day. Maximus Events and D5ision will be executing the rally from end to end, including administering the participants' oath at the SP College Grounds, lining up the expected 1,200+ cyclists, and supporting them through the rally with strategic placements for regular refreshments and water stations.

The rally will kick off from SP College Grounds. Participants have to assemble at 7 AM, at which time they will be addressed by the Rally Marshal, followed by the administering of the oath. The 13 km rally ending at The Corinthians Boutique Hotel will be flagged off at 7. 30 AM, with breakfast and ceremonials taking place from 9 AM onwards.

Maximus Events is also actively working to bring in sponsors to support the event and promote it through various media including online, radio, newspapers, hoardings, digital ads at malls, etc. Promotional activities will be conducted at E-Square Multiplexes and other locations, while Radio City - the official radio partner - will promote the event on-air. Ten hoardings, of a minimum size of 400 sft. each, will also be put up at various locations.

In addition to the above, P.A.L.S will publicize the rally across their 1.2 million members worldwide. Corinthians Club and Niyati Builders, the associate sponsors, will send mailers to all their members. Similarly, Infosys has extended their support by sending an emailer to their employees and permitting display materials in their premises.

Anu Aga, Padmashri, MP Rajya Sabha, Ex-Chairperson of Thermax and member of National Advisory Council (NAC), has consented to preside over the event, while Mrityunjay Singh, DC Head, Pune Infosys will deliver the inaugural address at the event. Milind Soman, India's first super-model and fitness icon, also known as the ‘The Marathon Man', who has just completed the Green Run of 1,500 kms from Delhi to Mumbai in 30 days, is the ambassador for the Pune Pedal Power Rally and will lead it.

This year's edition of the rally will see several highlights. The Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) 2011 participants from India - five each from Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore - will participate in the rally and be felicitated during the ceremonials. In its history of 120 years, the PBP - which is equated with Olympic cycle sports (1230kms within 90 hours), this was the first contingent to represent India. In addition, ‘Pedal Power', an e-magazine with cycle and environment-related topics contributed by prominent writers, will be made live on the occasion.

Commenting on the rally, Reema Sanghavi , MD, Maximus Events said: "It's a small initiative we've taken to make a greener tomorrow. PPP has seen tremendous growth from only 165 participants in 2009 to 1,000+ participants in 2011. This year, we are hoping to attract at least 1,200 and more participants. In the near future, Pedal Power foundation wishes to take this initiative to various cities in the country and associate with other Green movements."

As the Foundation desires maximum participation from Pune citizens, the registrations will be completely free of charge. While more than 1,000 people participated last year, participation levels are expected to be much higher this year. Participants have included renowned cyclists, armed forces and paramilitary forces personnel, senior and middle level management, and students. Registration for the rally can be done at the website: www.pedalpowerfoundation.com.