Gurgaon, April 21 (IANS): The chief of the municipal corporation here Monday set a new trend by reaching his office on a bicycle and appealed to people to take to pedalling rather than driving.

Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) chief Praveen Kumar said he has decided to come to office on bicycle at least three days a week.

"My message is clear -- save the environment, diesel, petrol and your health too. Several researches have proved that riding bicycle is much profitable than travelling by car," Kumar said.

It was nearly a 10-km ride from his house in Sector 27 to his office in Civil Lines area.

"Kumar left from his house at 8.30 a.m. and reached the old MCG office cycling through several areas. His gunmen and secretary were also on bicycles," an MCG official said.

Kumar earlier made headlines when, as the then deputy commissioner of Faridabad, he often visited government schools and cleaned toilets.

He distributed his salary to people living in slums, and once slapped a peon after he was caught taking bribe in 2011.

Though some people have termed Kumar's acts publicity stunts, his family believes he is a man with a "different nature".