The First-ever Big Cycle Event in The Most Poorest Country in South Asia, Bangladesh Has Just Started Accepting Entries

    CHITTAGONG, BANGLADESH, September 11, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Cog-way Cycling and Cultural Exchange Association based on Japan started accepting entries for the event Bangladesh Discovery Ride 2014 which is a bicycle journey for 200 km through Bangladesh for 3 days with 100 cyclists from the world. Everyone who is healthy, aged 12 and over can enter.

http://bangladesh-discoveryride-en.weebly.com

It's a bicycle journey through Bangladesh while contributing to its social development and also participants are to obtain a very unique experience.

This event consists with participants from all over the world, 50 from overseas and 50 from Bangladesh. About 100 cyclists travel together for 3 days.

This is not a race to compete speed/distance but a journey which put importance on communication among international cyclists, local cyclists and local community including street children, indigenous people and so on during traveling. As for this, the Organizer plans various activities so that participants get to know them deeply.

Additionally, through the trip, issues of waste disposal, empowerment of women are to be discussed. This event will contribute to the new establishment of tourism in the Chittagong area from cycling tourism perspectives as well.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOCIETY BY CYCLING 3 THEMES

1) Waste disposal issues

Waste disposal is a big social issue in Bangladesh as population and the amount of waste rapidly increases. People think little about littering and casually throw away rubbish anywhere on the street, seeing their big capital city Dhaka as a big rubbish bin which brings huge damages to their hygienic surroundings and health. We are making the most of publicity that the many cyclists who are considered to be the "symbol for cool people" gather for this event, and will hold a no rubbish campaign at the Cox's Bazar beach with hundreds people. We wish to motivate the local people to think about littering.

2) Empowerment of Muslim Women

90% of the population in Bangladesh is Muslim. From religious and social perspectives, social right of women has been extremely limited. There are however Muslim women who are taking a challenge of "woman riding a bicycle, riding with own strength" which has been considered to be a taboo. We are inviting those brave women and broadcast them as a "change maker" to the rest of Bangladesh. We wish to introduce the potential of independence and strength of women and contribute to empowerment of women.

3) Contribution to tourism

Bangladesh is facing rapid changes in lifestyle and economic development, but in the rural area, which is 90% of the country, no main industry has been developed. Jobs, opportunities for work, education, and infrastructure are very limited. From cycling tourism perspective, we are broadcasting the beautiful parts of the countryside. We hope to promote the interaction between people, attract facilities such as cycling center which would create job opportunities, and furthermore contribute to the development of communities in the villages.

GUIDELINES FOR THE EVENT

- Name of the event
Bangladesh Discovery Ride 2014

- Organizer
Cog-way Cycling and Cultural Exchange Association

- Manager of the event
Bangladesh Discovery Ride Committee

- Supporters
Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)
The Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, Wild Team

- Dates
November 22 to 29, 2014 (8 days in total, cycling is for 3 days)

- Location
Chittagong area in Bangladesh (Chittagong, Harbang, Bashikall, Cox'sBazar Beach, Inani Beach)

- Distance for ride
200km (the actual distance for ride is 3 days)

- Capacity
50 cyclists consists with participants from all over the world. Excepts foreigners, maximum 50 Bangladeshi cyclists participants.

- Application period
August 23 - October 19, 2014
Once we have reached capacity, application will be closed.

- Participation Fee
JPY 109,800.
Early bird discount is available! Please click here for the details.
The participation fee does not include airfares to and from Bangladesh.

- Sponsors
IFAD Group,
Cosmos Group,
Mitsubishi Corporation,
Nabisco Biscuit & Bread Factory Ltd, Abdul Monem Ltd.

- Use the rental bicycle
Rent bicycles from local merchants

-Entry qualifications
You must be healthy, aged 12 or over.

-Bangladesh Discovery Ride Committee
Yoriko Ueda, Representative
Based in Bangladesh

-Cog-way Cycling & Culture Exchange Association
Mio Yamada, Founder
Date of the establishment: July 5, 2012
(From Oct. 2010 to Jun. 2012, Cog-way Voluntary organization)
Address: Kanagawa, Japan

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