JOIN USThey are not constrained by the bumper-to bumper traffic, they don’t have to wait endlessly in their cars or in buses. They zoom in style and are the cynosure of all eyes.
The increasing number of cyclists pedalling through City, are not only staying fit but contributing their bit to the environment.
The cycle lanes may have been converted to parking spots, but the enthusiasm of the cyclists haven’t been chained. They have let loose their passion for cycling and are planting a desire in all to go for this mode of transport.
The pushbikes that once came out on Bengaluru streets during the weekends are now steering through the traffic regularly. There are more people opting for a bicycle for their commute.
Biju Kunnappada, founder and mentor, Bangalore Roadsters Cycling Group & Cycling Boutique Inc., is part of the corporate field. In 2011, he started cycling to work and the pedals have not rested ever since. Says Biju, “I wanted to break away from the conventional way of life. I have been a cyclist for 12 years and it is a tremendous and an incredible exercise.” He adds that he has understood the potential of cycling better than before. “Cycling offers recreation, fitness, entertainment, pulls the crowd and is eco-friendly....I can go about the benefits of cycling forever.
It is because of these benefits that I prefer riding to work than travelling by the usual mode of transport.” He rides his bicycle everyday to office and covers a distance of 30 to 40 km. Calling his humble ride a boon in the traffic, he says, “You can push through traffic without any hindrance.”
Another bicycle afficionado, Sanath Kumar SD, rides around the City with his son Manoj and takes his pushbike to work every alternate days. “I am from a small village in Tamil Nadu and I used to ride my bicycle a lot then. But I lost touch and one day I wanted to get back to riding. I took my son along on a double ride. But my stamina was low, I could not pedal and it was too straining. This taught me a lesson and I was back on my bicycle and have been riding it everyday.”
But is the traffic open to cyclists? Is the City cycle-friendly? Biju has answers for this. “People at the signals are curious and want to know how it is to ride. The traffic is friendly to the cyclists. But one should wear the safety gears while riding. This will add credibility to the cyclists who will be respected equally by other
commuters.”
It is a must for a cyclist to wear riding clothes, a helmet, have a blinker light on the bicycle. While these are the basic necessities, one can even spice up the look with goggles and gloves and ride in style.
Deepak, a young employee at ‘Purple Hat’, used to cycle to work regularly but comments, “The pollution, traffic and the pressure of reaching work on time, all put together disturbed the joy of riding the bicycle and hence I had to stop it.” He says there needs to be proper facilities provided to the cyclists and details, “Government alone cannot do anything. People should come out in large on their cycles and there needs to be rallies of awareness conducted. Only then can the City be completely friendly to cyclists.” Biju adds to this and ends, “More people should take up cycling. It improves the quality of life. Cycling to work boosts up the routine activities of the day and one can see the tremendous changes.”