As fuel prices skyrocket, a motley group of doctors in Surat has got together to circumvent the hike by forming a 'Bicycle Club'. The motto is not just 'burn rubber to stop burning a hole in your pocket'. They are hoping to spread the virtues of good health and encourage others to take to cycling. As a start, 50 members, including 25 doctors, will leave behind their gas-guzzling cars and cycle to work every day. The club is the brainchild of leading paediatricians Ketan Bharadwa and Pranav Patchigar. Since the club was formed on June 8, the duo are hoping that more doctors and professionals will join in. "I had been thinking about taking to bicycles for many years, but given the prestige associated with doctors, I had to ride a more respectable automobile. With this fuel price hike, I have decided to ride a bicycle for the rest of my life," says Bharadwa, who rides a 'made-in-Taiwan' bicycle for three kilometres to reach his clinic. He adds that the concept of Human Power Transportation (HPT) or use of bicycles, has become popular in countries like Japan and Paris already. The club members will visit at least seven housing societies every Sunday on their bicycles to spread their message. Patchigar adds, "We have been receiving calls from various professionals wanting to join our club. In the next month, we will have some 300 members." The docs say besides saving money on petrol, riding a bicycle can help fight cardiac and pulmonary problems. An average person consumes around 2,500 to 3,000 calories per day. Riding a bicycle at a speed of 15 km per hour can help burn 500 to 600 calories. Arvind Malaviya, a family physician who has joined the club chips in, "I now use my car only for emergencies to reach patients on time. All my other work is done on bicycles." Gynaecologist Tushar Zaveri, says, "We are going to target schools next and hope to convert children into bicycle fans." Carry on doctors!