Netherlands Dy PM, Philips’ Bob pedal for a clean Bangalore

Netherlands Dy PM, Philips’ Bob pedal for a clean Bangalore
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Bangalore’s high-profile Philips CEO Bob Hoekstra’s love for cycling is well known in IT circles. But on Sunday, at Cubbon Park, he managed to get a politician to pedal with him.

He may not yet be able to persuade our desi netas to get off their air-conditioned cars, but Netherlands Deputy PM I J Brinkhorst agreed to accompany Hoekstra for a cycle ride.

Though smoke-belching police vans followed the two as escorts, the idea was to spread the conservation message.

The two VIPs set off with their bikes, in the sprawling park, that was even more pleasant after Saturday’s showers.

The duo started their ride from Taj Westend and reached Cubbon Park in the first round, somewhat shedding their jet setting image and maybe some flab too. The second round was more gruelling.

It was a 25-km ride to Hessarghatta Brinkhorst, who is also Minister for Economic Affairs of Netherlands, called upon people to cycle to their offices to reduce pollution and stay fit.

The Minister cycles to his office as it also helps keep his belly flat.

He added that if elected representatives and officials set an example, it will catch up with the people in Bangalore too. (Are our leaders listening?) Citizens and students should adopt this mode of conveyance as it will also help reduce traffic, he preached.

Bob, a crusader of Greenpeace himself uses a battery-operated car. He said the main objective of the mission was to spread the conservation message and the benefits of cycling. “Traffic is a big problem in Bangalore. It is much safer to cycle on these streets. It will be a great contribution to the city’s environment and will help ease traffic decongestion,” he added.

Dutch Ambassador in India, Eric Niche also followed the duo on his cycle. “It is common for Dutch to bicycle to work places. We have at least three bicycles.

One each for the office, sports and night life.” Nearly 40 people from the Netherlands are in the city on the mission of spreading environment conservation.