Sharma aims to cycle around world to spread message of nature conservation

By Renuka Dhakal, Kathmandu, Nov. 26: Shuva Prasad Sharma is a cyclist who aims to visit 150 countries within five years. He started cycling in April this year and has visited eight countries by bicycle so far.

He has travelled around countries like Bangladesh, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Bangkok, and Laos spinning the wheel of his bicycle.

Born in 2025 in Sifal-7, Kathmandu, he has been a football player, playing in D, B and A Division leagues.

Politically active as a ward member of Kathmandu-7 from 2054 to 2059 BS, he also worked as a public representative for five years.

In his 55-year career, he did business, went abroad and involved himself in various works, but none provided the satisfaction he sought. 

In 2007, he got an opportunity to go on a world bike tour through the Lions Club but decided not to go on the trip as some of his team members had plans to stay in the US.

In 2019, he planned to cycle the world but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his plans were put on hold again.

But finally, on the occasion of the Nepali New Year, on April 13, 2022, he commenced spinning the wheels of a bicycle and set out on a solo cycle tour with the determination to visit 150 countries. 

Unfortunately, due to visa problems, he was able to cycle eight counties and returned to Nepal with the determination of cycling the remaining countries.

Before embarking on a world tour, he practised cycling to Gorkha, Chitwan, Lumbini, Janakpur, and Tatopani. 

"I have been playing football since childhood, and playing football has helped me to remain fit at this age," he said.

"I have spent over three decades playing football and playing football is my passion and daily activity."

 He initially planned to cycle in a group but later started solo cycling.

During his solo cycling around the world, his longest route was 2,700km from the border of Bangladesh to the border of Pakistan. The next longest journey was 1000km from the Bangkok border to the Malaysia border. He used to cycle 100km daily and it took him about eight hours. He has travelled more than 10,000km on a bicycle.

With the slogan of the 'Save the Earth World 2022-2027' campaign, cyclist Sharma aims to spread awareness about nature conservation and the use of bicycles to combat global warming and climate change. Wherever he goes on a bicycle, he plants trees as a symbolic message of saving the earth by planting trees. So far, he has planted more than 30 trees in different countries, he said.  

"Puncture is the main problem while cycling but a cyclist should learn general mechanical works. While travelling there are challenges but I don't want to focus on the challenges but rather spread positivity about my journey and encourage others," he said. 

Through this campaign, he hopes to contribute to humanity by spreading awareness about climate change. He was inspired by cyclist Pushkar Shah's extraordinary passion for cycling.

Now Sharma is planning to raise funds for his next cycle tour. He said he needed Rs. 8 million to cycle through the remaining 142 countries.

He has already applied for a Pakistan visa and his next cycling trip will be to European countries.

After the formation of the new government, he plans to coordinate with Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Budhanikhanth Municipality with the goal of developing a sister-city connection by becoming a goodwill ambassador.

Bicycle helps to promote Nepali art, culture and language in the world, he said. 

"If you want to imagine a modern city, it should be a bicycle city." Talking about the benefits of riding a cycle, he said that corruption will be reduced if people start riding bicycles.

 A clean city, healthy lifestyle, and economic growths are some of the benefits of riding a cycle, he said. 

After he started cycling, he sold his bike and used to cycle every day.

He urged everyone to ride a bicycle to build a beautiful city.