Thane: Rajesh Khandekar, 53, a member of the Amhi Cycle Premi Foundation, has created a remarkable new record. At a press conference today, the foundation announced that Khandekar completed a 16,000-kilometre cycling journey from Argentina to the United States in eight months. He was felicitated by Kiran Nakti of Aditya Pratishthan during the event.

Present at the press briefing were Rajesh Khandekar, Kiran Nakti, and Amol Kulkarni from the foundation. Khandekar is among India’s few long-distance cyclists. He departed Thane for Argentina on 20 June 2025 and began his ride to the United States on 24 June, crossing 11 countries along the way. During this journey, he also promoted awareness about global warming.

Khandekar has cycled in 41 countries, covering 78,000 kilometres across five continents. He had planned to continue to Canada but returned to India from the United States due to financial constraints.

Kiran Nakti, head of Aditya Pratishthan, said, “The foundation has nurtured many new cycling enthusiasts. Rajesh Khandekar has made the impossible possible, achieving a feat that deserves admiration not just from Thane residents but from all Indians.”

Call for stricter cyclist safety rules

Amol Kulkarni of the foundation highlighted safety concerns, noting that rickshaws, two-wheelers, and tourist vehicles often cut across cyclists, creating accident risks. Khandekar himself faced a near-accident during his 21-day ride from Argentina to Canada. Kulkarni stressed the need for stricter regulations to ensure cyclists’ safety, particularly in cities like Mumbai and Thane.