Valsad Dentist Bhairavi Joshi Wins World Bicycle Day Excellence Award

VALSAD : From treating patients in a dental clinic to helping reshape how Indians move through their cities, Valsad-based dentist Dr Bhairavi Joshi has earned international recognition for her contribution to the cycling movement.

Joshi, a dentist at Lotus Hospital, Valsad, has been awarded the World Bicycle Day Certificate of Excellence 2026, presented by Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at the ‘BRICS Sunday on Cycle’ event in New Delhi on August 30.

The award was conferred by Dr Leszek Sibilski, founder of the United Nations World Bicycle Day, in recognition of Joshi’s efforts to strengthen cycling in India.

With the vision of making India a cycling nation, Joshi played a key role in establishing the BYCS India Foundation in 2021, in collaboration with BYCS Global, Amsterdam. She currently serves as its Director and CEO.

Under her leadership, the Bicycle Mayors Network has expanded to more than 56 cities, taking cycling advocacy beyond recreation and into public health, child safety, women’s cycling, road safety, active mobility and sustainable urban planning.

Her work has also extended to national initiatives. Joshi serves as an advisor to the Fit India Mission, is associated with the Cycling Federation of India’s Development Committee and has contributed to the national ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ campaign.

Her Cycle2School initiative was piloted in Surat with BYCS India Foundation under the Smart City Mission of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, focusing on safer and healthier journeys for children.

Her advocacy for child-friendly cities was further highlighted with the release of her books, Cycling, Children and Cities and Road to Cycle2School, on World Bicycle Day 2025.

“This recognition reflects the growing importance of cycling not only as a means of transport, but also as a tool for healthier communities, safer roads and sustainable cities,” organisers said.

The award also recognised Chirag Shah, Bicycle Mayor of Thane, who works under Joshi’s guidance.

For Valsad, the international honour marks recognition of a local professional whose cycling advocacy has grown into a national movement spanning dozens of Indian cities.