State ties up with bike rental firm, to launch two-wheeler tours to popular dest

The Tourism department is creating a new way for you to experience the beaches, mountains and heritage spots of Karnataka with motorcycle tourism.

Collaborating with Wicked Rides, a bike rental startup, the Tourism department will be creating tours on two-wheelers to popular destinations like Gokarna, Bandipur, Agumbe, Belur and Mysuru.

The government will provide spacious campsites with basic facilities such as tents on rent, washrooms and electricity while Wicked Rides will take care of the logistics such as preparing the itinerary, renting bikes and arranging back-up vehicles.

Tourism department secretary Naveen Raj Singh, an enthusiastic rider himself, said there were many bikers in the Bengaluru and state.

“I found out that there were at least 200 to 300 bikes going out of the city in the weekends. It is popular and cheap as well. So, we thought it would be a great way to promote tourism,” he said. He loves the freedom on the road and believes more people should experience it.

The project is being kicked-off with a two-day bike ride to Hampi on Saturday. The promotional ride is sponsored by the government and will have 25 participating riders. To make a statement that bikes are not only for men, ten women riders from Bengaluru will be in the group.

Candida Louis, known for her solo motorcycle journeys around the country, appreciated the government for supporting biker groups. “This will be particularly helpful for women because often we have to pitch tents in unknown places which may not be safe,” she said.

Leading by example, four government officers will also be part of the trip. “We want to show everyone that it is a fun activity which is not limited to men or younger people,” Singh said. The group will be visiting famous heritage sites in Hampi and camping on the premises of Hotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari, a KSTDC property.

Further plans for the project are being chalked out. Two campsites of about 15 to 20 acres in Begur and Mysuru  are being developed by the government. “We will outsource running of the campsites. Other bike rental companies can also tie up with us,” Singh said.

One of the things they have in mind is to provide a seamless touring experience of Karnataka beginning from the airport. “A tourist sitting in New York can book it online. We will present a curated trip to the tourist. Once everything is finalised, the bike will be available for the booked tourist at the Kempegowda International Airport. All one has to do is strap their bags on and leave. The itinerary will be available on a mobile phone and it will guide tourist,” Singh said.

Within a month, bookings can be made for trips on the websites of the Tourism department and Wicked Rides. In the initial stage, the rides can be booked only from Bengaluru but they intend to extend it to other parts of the state as well.