The four-wheeler is gradually losing ground to two wheels. The humble cycle is taking young professionals to work, helping the plump lose kilos, and tempting musicians to bike it up to open mic nights. Sowmya Rajaram finds out why the city is pedaling furiously
The four-wheeler is gradually losing ground to two wheels. The humble cycle is taking young professionals to work, helping the plump lose kilos, and tempting musicians to bike it up to open mic nights.u00a0Sowmya Rajaramu00a0finds out why the city is pedaling furiously
Thud. Pow. Bang! Pedal, cape, red undies, pedal, paint. In non-onomatopoeic English, this is what the scene at Mahim at 5.30 pm today is expected to look like. That's when the Super Hero Squad, a quirky bunch dressed up as Batman, Spiderman, maybe even Ironman, descend on Tulsi Pipe Road to cycle across the city before they gather to save the world at a fake tea party, Alice in Wonderland style, at Bandra's Carter Road at 8 pm.
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Call it mad or kooky, but the superhero caper is just one of several events Mumbai has been hosting, that involve cycling. And Parag Gandhi, founder-member of the Wall Project, an initiative that utilises city spaces in a fun, effective manner, says there cannot be a better way to recapture the "crazy childhood fun of cycling".
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One bike, many reasons
Rather than use an exercise bike at a stuffy gym, Bandra resident Mohit Khanduja decided to pedal outdoors with the Hopkins gang. He's cheery about the three and a half kilos he has lost in just 12 sessions. "I'd recommend it to anybody who wants to get healthy. It's better than walking, and far more fun than sweating it out at indoor gyms where 20 people are breathing the same recycled air."
Events like the Mumbai Cyclothon held in February this year, are proof of how Mumbai has taken a fancy to the ubiquitous doodhwala's mode of transport. When Siddharth Chakravarty saw an advertisement for the Cyclothon, he couldn't resist signing up. "Two things fuelled my interest: the opportunity to ride on the Bandra-Worli sealink, and the prospect of a car-free day," says the 26 year-old who is with the merchant navy. And he had a blast, cycling to the rhythm of music, the sea breeze, and a throng of 4,000 fellow enthusiasts.
Estimates claim that Bengaluru saw a 35% increase in the sale of bicycles after the Bangalore Cyclothon involving 6,000 participants and 20,000 spectators. The likes of Chetan Sagvekar would like a carbon copy moment in Mumbai.
Be there
>To sign up for the June 5 programme, check the Events section on the Hopkins Bicycles Online Facebook page, or call Kenneth on 9768920125 / 9769103386.
>To participate in the Super Hero Squad event, look up the Events section on www.cyclists.in. And don't forget your Batman costume!
Mumbai darshan on a cycle, then some chai-bun-maska
Odati Adventures has been organising in-city and weekend cycling trips outside the city, since 2005. "The idea was to explore the culture and heritage of Mumbai and discover trivia. On a Sunday morning, when the city is devoid of traffic, it's a lovely experience," says Jayesh Morvankar, founder. And the response has been tremendous. "There's a 20 per cent rise in the number of participants in 2009-10 over 2008-09." Odati makes sure the route is an enjoyable one, so you have fun while getting your exercise. Plans are now afoot to organise longer trips from Mumbai to Goa.
Call: 9820079802/ 9769679802/ 22871715
Log on to: www.odati.com
Take a cue from China
In January 2010, Beijing adopted the Green Movement, with plans to put almost a quarter of the city's 17-million-strong population on bicycles by 2015, as against the current 19.7 per cent. In March, it launched a bike-hire scheme, where users apply for a swipe card which allows them to access 100 bicycles parked at kiosks near subway stations and key residential buildings. The plan is to have about 1,000 kiosks offering 50,000 bikes for rent by 2015.
The corporate who cycles
Ashwin Deo, South Asia CEO Asia Pacific Breweriesu00a0 cycles 14 kms a day
"I underwent a bypass surgery eight years ago. After that, I surfed the net and discovered that cycling was great for the heart," says Deo. Now, weekly jaunts to Marine Drive and Shivaji Park are a fixture. "It's brought down my blood pressure, it's fun, it works my heart, and I feel great."
3 buys we love
>>Wellgo Klit pedal (Rs 2,020) can be used with klit shoes to give you better pedalling momentum. At Firefox Bike Station
>>Serfas saddle (Rs 2,200) is gel-based to give you support and cushioning on a long bike ride. They have special women saddles too (they are broader). At Gear
>>Shimano SPD cycling shoe (Rs 6,135) is a road cycling shoe used by professionals. The underside has a 'klit' that locks into 'klit' pedals to help you create momentum. At Firefox
What's in stores?
>>Elbow guards Rs 535
>>Cycling glovesu00a0Rs 1,100
>>Helmet Rs 2,880
>>Eyewear Rs 1,420
>>Front trek light Rs 1,520
>>Blue bell Rs 130
All available at: Firefox Bike Station, Marine Lines.
Call: 9833040647.
Total damage: Rs 7,585
Bottle cage and sipper Rs 150
All available at: Gear-The Bike Shop, Bandra. Call 26409139.
Fibreglass helmet Rs 2,200
Serfas LED waterproof headlight Rs 1,150
Cannondale F4 bike Rs 50,000
Total damage: Rs 53,500
The handbook
How to pick a bike that works in city and outside
>>Get a basic mountain bike and make sure the tires are skinny (not more than 1.9 inches). Very broad tyres have more resistance than you need on mountainous terrain.
>>Get a lock-out suspension fitted (it has the option to nullify suspension, making the tyres rigid so that you don't lose any pedaling energy needed for city riding). For trail riding, you'll need suspension to absorb the shocks that come with riding a rocky terrain.
>>Get a mini emergency pump that fits snugly into your backpack. This will stand you in good stead in the city and outside, for times when pump stations are shut late at night or early in the morning and your tyre is low on air.
The Cannondale F7 is is a good dual bike, factory-set to help you navigate both kinds of terrain. Costs Rs 27, 800 (approx).
You have celebs for company
Actress Neha Dhupia ditched car gears for pedals
"I was sick of being stuck in jams, so I got myself a bike. Plus, I feel good about doing the environment some service. It's helped my fitness too. Make sure you know the route, and if you are not comfortable navigating traffic, choose an early morning or late night time to cycle. Wear a helmet and glasses, and carry your phone."
Salman's a fan too
This Khan swears by his midnight capers down Carter Road to his Panvel farmhouse, all on a bicycle. To promote cycling, Salman even participated in the Cyclothon Tour de Mumbai held in February this year.u00a0 He says he runs and cycles about 10 km a day to stay fit, in addition to taking his bike to film shoots at Film City, Goregaon.
The trend forecast
More people will cycle to work
Chetan Sagvekar, manager, Firefox Bike station, Marine Lines
"More people will cycle to work to save on time wasted while driving, and money spent on fuel. We've been open just four months, and the store has already had five clients buy cycles to ride to work."
Cycle parking lots will be set up
Amit Bhowmik, Founder, www.cyclists.in
"As awareness increases, we'll see cycling parks set up where people can park their bikes safely. At the moment, there's no place to park your bike if you decide to go somewhere. I also see an increased respect for cyclists on the road, which will only aid the movement."
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