KATHMANDU, Nepal– The government’s decision to hike entry fees for cycles at the popular trail of Shivapuri- Nagarjun National Park has sadden hundreds of mountain bikers.
Cyclists for whom the park is one of the best destinations, says the entry fee hike has discouraged them. They complained that the decision is detrimental to the recently evolved cycling culture in the Valley. They have also suggested the government to fix a route for the cycles rather than hiking the fee.
The government has recently hiked the entry fees for cyclists at the Shivapuri- Nagarjun National Park which has earned its fame for cycling.
As per the updated fee, mountain bikes will be charged with Rs 1,000 per entry/per day whereas motorbikes will be charged with Rs 30 and cars, jeeps and microbuses with Rs 300.
“Rs 1,000 for the entry of a mountain bike is too much. Also, the logic behind the fee hike is confusing as I believe cycles don’t disturb the biodiversity”, Raj Gyawali, a cyclist for whom the park is one of the best destinations was quoted by ekantipur
He expressed fear that the government may also hike entry fees for mountain bike in other national parks, discouraging the use of cycles in such areas.
An avid cyclist, Rabi Rana expressed doubts that the government was attempting to bar cyclists from entering the park.