JOIN USMore and more women are peddling their way around town. Be it for work or recreational purpose, the women in the City are leading the way.
Not only does cycling provide them their daily dose of exercise, it helps them reach their destination faster too. Even though they face many challenges along the way, they ensure that they don’t stop. Metrolife spoke to some passionate women cyclists about their experiences.
Geeta Bisht, who lives and works in Electronic City, cycles to work. “I come cycling even to the central part of the City. I find it a really convenient option. Whether it’s peak hour or not, I like to cycle,” she says. “We do face problems which is why it’s important to take precautions. For instance, while many roads are full of potholes, some have no streetlights. The worst part is when bikers see a girl alone on a cycle, they tend to speed up. But we are not here to challenge them. Our main focus is to stay safe,” she says.
Entrepreneur TimTim Sharma, who purchased a cycle with her first paycheck, says that she has been an inspiration to her family. “My brother has taken to cycling after seeing me and now, even my mom cycles to the grocery store,” she says. According to TimTim, those between 22 and 26 years of age, are taking cycling seriously.
“They are realising that cycling has many advantages. It’s a great form of workout and ensures efficient use of time and money. But what saddens me is that cyclists are treated like roadblocks. Many a time, the BMTC bus drivers swerve past cyclists just to throw them off balance. I have witnessed these incidents myself. But I am positive that with the growing interest of people towards cycling, there will be a change in everyone’s mindset,” she says.
Terming cycling for women as a ‘fight for space’, Aishhwariya S, a corporate communication professional who cycles to her workplace, says that it’s important for cyclists to follow traffic rules. “There is an accident waiting to happen if cyclists don’t follow basic rules like keeping to the left. Besides, wearing the right gear is important. Those cycling at night must wear clothes with reflectors,” she suggests.
Although Payal Kini, who works for the cycling company ‘BumsOnTheSaddle’, was apprehensive when she started cycling to work in August, it is her main mode of transport now.
“Cycling used to be a recreational activity for me. I got inspired by many of my colleagues who used to cycle. And now that I have started, many women have shown an interest and are asking on how they could start too,” beams Payal.