Erratic road sense, abrupt mushrooming of pesky potholes and harrowing traffic jams — Bengalureans are not oblivious to some of the most daunting on-road experiences, which they wade through on a daily basis. But in lieu of the usual rants, a bevvy of young adults are taking to a rather interesting and eco-effective mode of commute — Cycling. Yes, saddling away seems to be the answer to beating the city’s monstrous traffic battle! While the trend started out a while ago, the idea seems to be making a steady comeback and how! We find out more... “I’m somebody who likes to take charge of things. And in all honesty, a drive on the Bengaluru roads makes me feel crippled! That’s when I decided to cycle my way to work.
And it’s been one of the most fulfilling decisions I’ve ever made — and if helps me get fitter, chunk down on the fuel expenses and is eco-friendly, why not? shares Anil Kadsur, a city-based cyclist and client interface professional, who is also one of the the volunteers behind the cycle day initiative. Adding to the same, Sriram Sullia, a radio professional opines, “For me, cycling is one of the most efficient methods to get from Point A to Point B. Interestingly, the interest has rubbed off on my wife too. It’s something that really perks my mood up and the perfect start to the day. I’ve also observed that the city encourages cyclists, which is a big turn on!”
Interestingly, as the plan is also perceived as a bid to protect the city’s green cover, Rajiv Ramnane, a restaurateur shares, “Besides the convenience of actually being able to get into and out of work faster, there is also a feel good factor of being able to contribute to a greener environment. The traffic in Bengaluru is going from bad to worse and if I’m well equipped on my bike with the right gear then it’s best way to commute.”
Speaking about how there’s an unrivaled joy that makes the peddling journey an experience in itself, Adithya Raman, a 30-year-old cyclist and marketing and research analyst, who’s covered over 3000 km on cycle, enthuses, “My commute was around 22 km a day. On the road I would spend around three hours. So when I chose cycling, the biggest advantage was time. You get to a place faster even if you’re a 20 rows behind at a signal — which is such a high, early in the morning! Plus, it’s actually a very fun thing to do. Especially when you’re flexing those muscles!”
Asserting the need to consider various parameters, he concludes, “You’d spend at least 45 minutes on the saddle. So unless your bike is comfortable, it will be painful, and will deter you from taking the bike out again,” he adds.
