Atlas Shrugged - Brand Bicycle

I have been riding a bicycle as my primary mode of transport in Bengaluru for the past 8 years or so. During this period, I have seen - A) More people riding B) More talk about how cities need to be Bicycle and Pedestrian friendly and C) Constant degeneration of the road infrastructure making it hazardous for cyclists.

So, basically, our Netas and Babus don't care for cycling infrastructure because they just don't understand it. Yet, at least one major Political Party uses the Bicycle as their party's symbol, many used it to "protest" the fuel price hike and the Bicycle is a primary mode of transport for many people in the state of Uttar Pradesh where the Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav is based out of.

When I heard about the petition by Murali Ramanath requesting the Election Commission to prevent the use of the Bicycle as a poll symbol, I had conflicting thoughts:

1. On one hand, I agree with Murali in principle - The Netas in power think twice before commissioning Bicycle promotion projects because of the association of the symbol with the Samajwadi Party.
2. On the other hand, our country sorely needs opposition to the Saffronization of our Society - Our country's greatest asset is our diversity especially given that the world is moving away from Standardization (an industrial era obsession) to Decentralization (segment of one).

As a supporter of the use of muscle power (Walk & Cycle) for short distance commutes within our towns and cities leading to - A) More local commerce opportunities and B) Healthier lifestyle for people participating and C) Lower pollution overall, I support this initiative to prevent the use of the Bicycle as a Election Symbol. Please sign the petition here - https://chng.it/5zd6Jh7Q

I am confident that SJCE, Mysuru Alumnus Akhilesh Yadav will use the opportunity to reinvent the party from its roots in the emergency and pre-liberalization struggles for the next generation. Isn't it great to have a Socialist party in India's most populous state when the world, especially the younger generation is finding #Socialism cool again?