Special Report: Cycling with a Difference

By Javid Hassan

Cycling, the latest craze among a section of the youth in Bangalore, is set to take off with a bang if the latest project of the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) goes ahead as planned. It envisages allocation of separate bicycle tracks and stimulating the growth of the non-motorized transport.

Bangalore has thus become the first city in India to come out with a comprehensive traffic and transportation plan (CTTP) as mandated by the Jawaherlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Movement (JNNURM).

According to the survey conducted by CTTP, more than 20% of residents owned cycles a decade ago. This figure has since come down to 14%, the CTTP study points out. Though there has not been an appreciable increase in the cost of cycles, the number of users is on the downswing. Regarding the cycling trend, the study notes that more than 30% of those owning bikes commute within a 5 km radius, while 43% of them ride less than 2 km. A separate track could encourage more people to take up cycling.

Besides the office-goers, many others push the pedal for different reasons, including the cause of peace, promoting physical fitness, means of transportation for rural students, encouraging the youth to join the army, and so on.

For Jaleel Hasan, 21, a computer science student of R.N.S.I.T. College of Bangalore, what inspires him to ride his sport cycle is not only the urge to wheel the message of peace but also short-circuit the growing traffic jams that are contributing to environmental pollution in the city. An increasing number of the youth, according to him, has also taken to cycling for the same reason. Besides these factors, the cycling trend has also gained momentum thanks to the Karnataka government’s decision to provide bicycles to students in hundreds of schools in the state’s districts. As a result, Ludhiana-made Hero cycles have become a household name in the city.

“I cycle 15 km daily to my college to save time and also stay fit,” he told HNN. His bike is equipped with a built-in computer that gives a digital readout of the energy outgo. Thus his 15-km daily round-trip to his college burns up 300 calories. More recently, he went on a longer 60 km ride to a tourist spot on the Bangalore- Mysore highway, covering the distance in two hours at an average speed of 25 km per hour

“I used the technique called slipstreaming,” he points out. It means making use of the reduced wind resistance by trailing a vehicle in front. “It helped me exert 40 percent less energy and also gain speed in the process,” he observes. In order to take advantage of this process, Jaleel kept riding behind a tractor that helped him fend off head wind and maintain speed on the long haul. “Despite my marathon ride, I did not feel fagged out at the end of my journey. Moreover, I believe in staying fit and leading an active lifestyle. Cycling meets both the ends.”

However, for the students of National College, Jayanagar and NCC cadets, their cycling expedition had a different message. These nine cadets went off on their bikes as part of their campaign against the menace of terrorism. They covered 1,000 km in 13 days before returning to Bangalore last week. Their expedition was organized by Maj D.E. Murthy Rao, company commander of 8 Karnataka Battalion, along with several officers. College Principal Prof. K.M.Kodandarama Shetty also pitched in with his support by flagging off the rally.

Besides mobilizing the youth in the war against terror, they also sought to educate them on the importance of joining the army for national defence and reaping the advantages that come along.

In another development, a group of 33 cyclists from India, including 25 children, undertook a peace mission to Pakistan in the wake of the November 26 terrorist attack in Mumbai. These cyclists, who embarked on their journey from Bangalore on November 1, however, failed to realize their mission named “Peace bicycle.” When they visited the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, they were denied visas by the High Commission’s officials, who cited instructions received from Islamabad.

Even so, the cyclists are happy that they were able to complete the 2,869 km-long journey that took them through several cities, including Dharwad, Mumbai, Gandhinagar, Delhi and Amritsar. The peace ride did not terminate, as scheduled, at Saiwal, Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh’s birthplace, 200 km from Lahore. Still, the peace messengers feel satisfied that they were able to interact with some Pakistanis and deliver the message.

On an average, they logged 100 km a day during their 30-day expedition. The movement, which began with 30 cyclists, now boasts a membership of 300 plus. They all have a shared goal—to bring together cycle enthusiasts to promote this sport. That the movement has kicked off is borne out by the fact that there will be chapters in different parts of the city, each having its own cycling group. This is a spin-off from the battle to go green and keep the city clean.