For most, cycling is the perfect way to move around. Its not too slow, not too fast, its healthy, practical and eco-friendly. Here we take a look at the cycling scene in India.
If you have moved from abroad to any metro city in India, cycling on the roads might seem to be scary thing because of the traffic and congestion on the roads, especially in big cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Thank you @MinPres @markrutte for the bicycle. pic.twitter.com/tTVPfGNC9k
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 28, 2017
Cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru are notorious for it’s chaotic traffic, where taxis, auto-rickshaws and buses jostle with cars and bikes on the roads, and noise pollution is high due to honking horns and revving engines.
There are no dedicated bike lanes yet (not even bus lanes).
Having said that, you do see cycles on the roads, but they are usually used by newspaper vendors, milkmen, and dabbawalas. Unless you are dressed in cycling gear, cycling is seen as a low-status activity by many. Then there are some who find it too risky to ride on the city roads.
A lot of people who would love to cycle in cities like Mumbai are put off by poor road surfaces: potholes and missing paving blocks are a constant danger; the heat, combined with the general lack of office shower facilities, means arriving at work by bike would be a sweaty affair; while the lack of secure cycle storage (land is expensive in Mumbai so people have to park bikes on the street) means theft is a problem.
Despite these challenges, there are many who indulge in cycling – some do it for fitness, while a few use it to commute to work.
It’s true that you have to concentrate and be aware of everything around you, but that applies even to driving cars and riding bikes. Lot of people who say it is unsafe have actually not even tried.
“Somehow the experience feels safer than cycling in London. There’s less road rage, less aggression, less confrontation. People are hooting their horns all the time, but it’s not in anger: it’s to communicate where they are and where they’re going. The potential for cycling in Mumbai is massive. It doesn’t rain for nine months and it never gets cold here. It’s a fantastic place to cycle. For a fraction of the 16bn rupee (£160m) cost of the eight-lane Bandra-Worli Sea Link toll bridge, Mumbai’s transport authorities could have transformed cycling and public transport in the city. I wish the authorities do more here,” says an expat who moved from London to Mumbai.
Cycling is an exciting way to move around the city. Cycling in India seems to be taking off with Bengaluru leading in its usage. Its common to see techies pedal to work on weekdays and become rallyists over the weekend.
Lot of cycling clubs are coming up in other cities as well. Group cycle rides are booming, with many clubs putting on regular weekend rides and giving cyclists a sense of community.
The local authorities will need to do more to boost cycling as sooner than later they will have to start pushing for greener modes of transport. The bicycle is the cheapest rapid-mobility commute solution around; yet our cities are evolving around cars. The state government need to own complete responsibility and consider it as a public transportation project, especially in terms of costs.
Hero Cycles eyeing e-bikes and strong exports to boost growth
Hero Cycles, world’s largest cycle manufacturer by numbers, will launch its range of electric cycles shortly and it has huge hopes riding on its newest vehicle. “This will transform Hero Cycles. My dream now is that every bicycle should have a motor and move people efficiently without a fuel bill,” says Pankaj Munjal, Hero Cycles’ chairman and managing director.
Munjal sees its new range as a game-changer though he admits big efforts will be needed initially to popularise the e-bicycles. “I don’t think it will sell right away. The concept-selling has to take place,” he says. The new range will have a 25km-30km-range and a top 25-kmph speed and the battery’s built right into the bike’s frame.
For long, Munjal has been pleading with the central and state governments for cycle-friendly lanes and tax breaks. He notes it’s a huge contradiction that India makes around 19 million motorcycles and scooters annually and only 15 million bicycles. Next door, China makes a humongous 110 million bicycles out of which 80 million are exported.
India is also massively behind when it comes to sales of e-cycles. In the West, e-bikes are popular across demographics with the younger generation looking at opting for e-bikes rather than car ownership.
Munjal says rural India will see more sale of low-cost, basic bicycles that sell for ₹5,000 onwards. Urban India, by contrast, is about high-value sports bikes like Hero’s Firefox (Hero Cycles bought Firefox in 2015 to boost its upmarket portfolio).
Hero is also eyeing exports and trying to turn into a global giant. Recently, the company opened its Global Design Centre in Manchester. “I like to spend time in Manchester because our design studio people are very creative. Here, in India, we’ve become very focused on what to do and what to deliver,” says Munjal.
Designs from the Manchester centre go to the company’s Sri Lankan plant where they’re manufactured and exported to India and other corners of the globe. “The high-end bikes made in Sri Lanka were introduced a few weeks ago and we’ve had tremendous response.” Hero Cycles also has ambitious plans in Europe and is looking at setting up an Eastern European factory. Munjal wants his company to be as big in Europe as it is in India.
Despite Munjal’ lofty aspirations, the fact is that cycle penetration in India is one of the lowest worldwide at six for every 100 households. Also, the industry’s faced tremendous setbacks in the last 18 months because of the twin blows of demonetisation followed by GST’s introduction. At the village level, bicycles were normally bought in cash.
That’s why, though he’s King of the Cycle industry, Munjal has diversified.
And right now, he’s finding faster growth in the automotive industry. Hero’s building transmission systems for top industry players and as well as chassis for companies like BMW and Audi and is in early talks with other big companies.
Hero also has an automotive R&D centre outside London (another reason he’s spending time in the UK). It’s also embracing the future by building electric-truck transmission systems. Says Munjal: “On the automotive side, we’ve done well. We grew by 25 per cent. Now growth will be bigger because we’re getting into e-driven mobility.”
On a different level, Munjal’s son Aditya is spearheading Hexi, a last-mile transportation startup, focusing, for instance, on metro station to home or office. There’ll be e-rickshaws, scooters and bicycles and the company’s conducting a trial at Lovely Professional University in Punjab. Munjal’s second son Abhishek, looks after Hero Cycles’ production facilities in family hometown Ludhiana.
Still, Munjal firmly believes the cycle industry will keep growing, even if it only picks up speed gradually. “The bicycle’s a basic need. We’re the one product with no finance. You can buy a cellphone, furniture, a motorcycle or car and pay in instalments.” He also expects the combination of electric bicycles and more upmarket bicycles will give the company a more high-end image.
Website herocycles.com
June 3 is World Bicycle Day
Many Indians are picking up cycling for fitness, some to bond with their family and friends, and some to connect with their surroundings. Lot of cities in India celebrate the World Bicycle Day with enthusiasm.
To encourage more and more people to use the bicycle alive, the United Nations has declared June 3 as the World Bicycle Day. The UN want people to appreciate the cycle as a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally friendly mode of transport.
No matter how swanky your gym is, you just cannot workout in the same environment every day. So why not use the bicycle today for a change?
Several cities in India, especially in Gujarat, has witnessed a rise in the number of cycling clubs in recent years that plan cycling events and plan cycling trips.
Cycling provides a complete body workout and it is fun. You make a connection with your surroundings and you also get to make new friends.
People still hesitate to come to office on a cycle as they feel it is not cool. May be the roads are bad. We just hope we see a change here in future. Better road safety, infrastructure support can give a boost to cycling.
With rising fuel prices, environment concerns and the need to create sustainable cities, the world is waking up to the benefits of cycling.
Several countries are not only encouraging their citizens to take up cycling, they are also building more cycle friendly cities. However, India is lagging in this area.
There are no dedicated cycling lanes that raise serious safety issues for cyclists. With better support from the government, I am sure cycling will find many takers.
However, you can still go ahead and use the humble bicycle more often in order to stay fit and support an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Bicycle Buying Guide
There is so much to choose from. From utility-based to performance and recreation based, there are cycles of all kinds.
Road Bikes buying guide
As opposed to mountain bikes, road bicycles are designed to be ridden on smooth surfaces. These bicycles are lighter, have smooth, skinny tires and “drop” handlebars, making them suitable for on-road racing. Road bikes are not designed to carry heavy loads.
Types of Road Bikes
Here are the more popular types of Road Bikes:
- Cyclocross bicycles (cross bikes or cx bikes): These have drop handlebar like most road bikes, and are designed to be ridden on mixed surfaces (combination of pavement, unpaved trails, gravel, grass). The tires are a bit wider; and these make for good commuter bikes.
- Touring bicycles: These are built for long-distance riding, and have mounting bolts for cargo racks. The cycle may have a more relaxed frame design so that the rider is more comfortable when riding long distances.
- Triathlon/Time Trial Bicycles: These have aerodynamic properties that allow you to crouch forward while riding, to minimize the wind resistance against your body.
- Flat-Bar Road Bicycles: As the name suggests, these have a flat or upright handlebar. These cycles have lightweight frames and relatively narrow tires for efficiency on pavement rides.
- Track/Fixed-Gear Bicycles: These are designed to be ridden on a velodrome, which is a banked oval track specifically for bicycle racing. Most track bikes have drop handlebars, but some riders outfit theirs with flat or upright handlebars.
- Mountain Bikes: These are designed for riding rough off-road trails; these feature flat or upright handlebars, and a very low gear range for pedaling up steep trails.
- Hybrid Bikes: Provide the best features of road bikes as well as mountain bikes.
- Performance Hybrid Bicycles: Designed to provide multi-surface versatility of a hybrid bike, but want a little more aggressive style and riding position.
- Cruiser Bikes: Designed for casual riding, these have wide “balloon” tires, and upright handlebars. Use it for short-distance commuting. Its available in a wide array of colorful models.
- City Bikes: have characteristics of both a hybrid bike and a cruiser bike; some models are designed to let you ride in regular clothes. City Bikes are also known as “Dutch bikes” (these bicycles are commonly seen in Amsterdam and other bike-friendly European cities.)
- BMX Bikes: BMX Bikes are popular with kids because of their small size, but they are used by adults and kids alike for various styles of trick and stunt riding.
- Folding Bikes: Ideal for those who need to travel with their bike. These have smaller wheels, which make them a little less efficient but they still offer value.
- Recumbent Bikes: Available in two-wheel and three-wheel designs, these bike come with a full-sized seat with a backrest. These are very comfortable to ride but more difficult to pedal up hills, and not easy to carry from one place to another in a vehicle.
- Tandem Bikes: Tandem Bicycles are “bicycles built for two”; available in all styles.
- Adult Tricycles: Adult Trikes are ideal for older folks, or those with balance issues or other special needs.
Top cycling accessories: Essential stuff for you and your bike
Cycling accessories: Some will make your ride easier, safer or more comfortable, and others are simply nice to have. Bought a bike recently? You may require additional things. Besides your kit, there are a number of additional accessories you may need to buy before you hit the road.
Cycle Lock
Cycle lock is an essential accessory, not just in India but in any part of the world. Keep your cycle secure whenever you have to step away from your cycle.
Several popular brands like Btwin, BSA Optics, CJSJ, Firefox, Lock Alarm and more make cycle locks. These locks are usually compatible with most bicycles.
These are made of heavy-duty materials to provide optimum protection.
Water Bottles & Shakers
Water Bottles & Shakers make it easy to carry water or protein shake. Whether you want to shake or blend, you need one of these bottles.
These shaker bottles are designed for easy mixing & cleaning, and are available in stylish designs.
Backpacks
A backpack lets you carry essential things and accessories, especially useful on a long ride.
Bike Pumps
Bicycles often go flat and you will need an air pump to pump it up. A bicycle pump is essential for keeping your tires inflated and in good shape.
Bike pump helps you maintain adequate amount of air in the tires, allowing you to have a comfortable ride.
You get a variety of pumps, including lightweight mini-pumps that easily slip into a bag.
Saddle Covers
You get a variety of saddle covers that improve the seat comfort for cyclists. These are especially useful for the narrow saddles that you typically see on mountain and road bikes.
Some saddle covers look good while some are designed to be more comfortable.
Cycling GPS Units
A bike GPS is easily mounted on a bike’s handlebars and is a great tool for tracking the performance of your rides, including courses, speed, distance, and altitude.
Also tells you the best way to reach destinations.
Waterproof Jacket
A Waterproof Jacket allows you to go cycling even in the monsoons. A must-have accessory for the rains.
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