Report 12

March 2013

The Invisible Cyclist

Lead contributor: Acknowledgements:

Shweta Vernekar
Dr. Medini Dingre
Lakshmi Narayan
© (KKPKP)
Parisar
2013 Kiran Moghe
(Janwadi Mahila Sanghatana)
Shamin Kulkarni
Parisar
Sanrakshan Sanvardhan Sanstha Aditi Mutatkar
Yamuna, I.C.S. Colony,
Ganeshkhind Road,
Pune 411 007
India

www.parisar.org
The National Urban Transport to change public perception about
Policy of India, while placing great cycling, those who cycle and
emphasis on the need to promote provide inputs to policy, processes
non-motorized modes of transport, and projects.
also specifically mentions the
Our film vignettes offer us a
disconnect between actual users
small glimpse into the lives of
(cyclists) and the infrastructure that
a few cyclists – who in many
is built for them and recommends
ways represent the whole cycling
greater interaction with the
community.
stakeholders so that designs
actually cater to their needs. The profiles we’ve collected focus
not just on cycling, but on the
A cycling policy should ideally
person, his/her occupation, family,
include not just infrastructure,
community . . . so as to present the
but also many other enabling
full identity of the person.
mechanisms that make cycling
safe, convenient and comfortable We also present a summary of the
for those who actually cycle today. informal discussion sessions which
Unfortunately thousands of cyclists allowed a sharing of experiences,
do not have a voice, and decisions perhaps the first time that anyone
are being made about cycling asked the cyclists what they felt
based on assumptions. Cyclists about transport issues and what
are reduced to a statistic, be it they wanted the city to provide, so
their shrinking numbers or those that they could continue cycling
involved in accidents, without safely.
looking at the men and women
themselves. For us this represents not the end,
but the beginning of a process,
This is our attempt to give a name with the ultimate aim of sensitizing
and a face to these unsung heroes policy makers and empowering
and try to understand what they cyclists. When that happens,
really need and use this information change will be inevitable.

Contents

Introduction 3

Cyclists in Motion 4
Cyclists featured in the
video vignettes

In the spotlight 12
Photo profiles of
select cyclists

Supported by: Community Chat 29

Global Greengrants Fund Cyclists in conversation
Introduction

Sustainable development today, has become the new mantra for all, but there seems
to be little clarity on what it means, and what should be done to achieve it. This
lack of understanding is seen in all public sectors, glaringly so in the traffic and
transportation planning.

Commuting in the city has become But even with a good public
increasingly time consuming, transport system, there will always
dangerous and even expensive, but be place for the bicycle that can
ironically, the factors responsible provide door to door connectivity
for these trends are suggested as and freedom of movement for
solutions for the problem. Hence the user – provided the city is
we see the city’s development committed to improving cycling
oriented towards widening roads facilities.
and neglecting public transport
Unfortunately, most of our cities
and non-motorised transport by
fail to see the potential of cycling
catering almost exclusively to
for providing a non-polluting,
private, low capacity auto vehicles.
healthy and affordable mode of
It is an alarming prospect that Pune transportation that can contribute
is becoming a classic example of significantly to not only reducing
a motor-vehicle dominated city, road congestion, but also to
with little scope for those who do improve the quality of life in the
not own one. The authorities fail to city.
understand that with the explosive
It is about time that the bicycle is
growth of auto vehicles in the city,
recognized as a potential solution
no amount of road building will
to the city’s traffic issues, rather
solve the problems of congestion,
than as a relic from the past. For
pollution and road accidents
this, the cyclist has to be viewed as
growing by the day. More roads
This booklet is a collection of some an important part of transportation
of the many cyclists in the city who encourage even more auto vehicle
planning, and adequate facilities
cycle without necessarily knowing use, and bigger roads with faster
must be provided for him. If a city is
this broader picture, for which they moving vehicles threaten the safety
safe for cyclists, it is safe for almost
should be commended, instead of of cyclists and pedestrians.
all others too.
being ignored and threatened. They
should be given equal if not more
The sensible response and possible
rights on the road, like the right of solution to growing traffic chaos
way, exclusive and safe cycle tracks, in cities is a radical improvement
dedicated signals and other facilities in public transport to make it
which can not only make their adequate, comfortable and reliable,
journey safe, but also accelerate the whereby personal vehicle users will
process of building a city for people begin to opt for public transport.
rather than for vehicles.
Cyclists in Motion
Cyclists featured in the video vignettes
 Apart from this, he also uses the
bicycle to drop his children to
school, his daughter Sharvari in the
front on a specially fitted seat, and
his son Shantanu on the back seat,
both smiling and without a care. All
his commutes in the city, for work,
for household errands are on the
bicycle.

But all this doesn’t mean cycling is

easy in Pune. Pradeep says cycling
on big roads is difficult and tedious
with bigger and faster vehicles
moving along the whole width of
the roads. Cycle tracks don’t exist
on most roads and even where
they do, they are most unsuitable
to cycle on, as there are obstacles,
Pradeep Jagtap Pradeep Jagtap is 34 years old and
two wheelers encroaching on them,
distributes newspapers in the city
poor surface that makes cycling
for his livelihood. Pradeep’s story
difficult and frequent breaks where
is one of the many newspaper
the tracks disappear completely.
vendors in Pune and India, each
of whose stories is different, yet However, Pradeep says he will
similar, because they still cycle, continue to cycle, even while there
although the shift to two wheelers is little that encourages him to do
in this profession is becoming more so and nothing that binds him to do
common these days. so either.
Pradeep starts his day at 5 in His simple act of choosing to
the morning from his home on continue cycling figures importantly
Ganeshkhind Road. He goes to Appa in every role that he plays – that of
Balwant Chowk where he collects a husband, a father and an aware
his stack of newspapers, loads citizen of the city.
them on his bicycle and gets going
to Fergusson College Road, Model
Colony and Bhosale Nagar for
delivering the papers till 8:30 am.
This is the best time to cycle – there
is very little traffic and noise.

5
 the bus or the two wheeler fail to
attract her.

She cycles from her home in Sanghvi

to Bhosale Nagar, covering a distance
of 12.5 kms, where she cooks for
several households before finally
going home at 7 in the evening.
She says cycling keeps her fit and
independent- the bus makes her
sick, literally! She cites so many
advantages of being on a cycle that
only a regular cyclist would know.

When asked about how others react

to her passion for cycling, she says
there are two kinds of reactions.
Some appreciate her committment
and admit they could never do it, and
Chhaya Gore Chhaya works as a cook and has the others ask her to give it up as she
been cycling for the past 20 years, can now afford a two wheeler. But
going to different households and she feels comfortable cycling. It gives
just about everywhere else on her her a feeling of being in charge of
bicycle. her commute – unlike in a bus that
keeps irregular timings. She also feels
As a child Chhaya remembers how
it is crazy to spend so much on petrol
she saved from her pocket money
and maintenance for a two wheeler,
to rent a cycle, in those days at 25
when cycling is free.
paise per hour, and learnt cycling
all by herself, falling down, even Having been cycling for so long, she
fracturing her hand in the process. knows fully well the problems she
Her love of cycling is old, and still encounters. Speeding vehicles, badly
endures even as her husband and built cycle tracks, lack of shade and
22 year old son keep telling her lighting, but the advantages she
to give up the cycle and get a two sees in the bicycle outweigh these
wheeler instead. disadvantages for her. She says, the
engineer who designed these cycle
But she doesn’t and won’t, she
tracks should be made to ride on
says with utter conviction because
them. Then he will understand the
cycling is the only way she has ever
problems we face. She’s also excited
known of getting from place A to B,
about a possible Public Bicycle
and all other means such as taking
Scheme in Pune and feels it will help
encourage more cycling.
6
Majid Shaikh Majid Bhai is 45 years old and has He doesn’t find riding on cycle
been carrying forward his father’s tracks convenient, especially with a
profession of selling khari in loaded bicycle, sometimes carrying
different parts of the city. He lives as much as 15 -20 kgs of products.
in Dattawadi along with three other While on road, traffic continues to
roommates, while his family lives be unruly and behaviour of other
outside Pune. He delivers khari and motorists fluctuates between
other baked products, loaded on his neutral to rude most of the time.
bicycle, to different parts of the city
With age, Majid Bhai is looking for
like Bhosale Nagar, Kothrud, Aundh,
a more comfortable alternative and
Pune Station and so on.
he is considering switching to a
As he has been cycling for the past motor bike like his brother.
20 years in the city, he points out
that roads have become wider and
better, but this is of no help to the
cyclists. Road width and traffic
congestion have a way of catching
up with each other, the widened
road feels spacious only for some
time, after that it is more traffic and
congestion once again.

7
 Chandrakant Methkar is a frail looking man, under control certificate) , license,
Sakharam Methkar who may not be noticed when he signals and so on. In his own style
cycles on the roads, as invisible as of speaking he compares driving
most of the other cyclists in the motorised vehicles to be as good
city, but only till he starts talking. as being at home and dozing, for
Once he does, it opens up a whole want of exercise! He is aware of the
new perspective of a genuine maneuvering capacity of a cycle --
cyclist in this city, interesting in it can fit anywhere and can get out
so many different ways. A painter of anywhere, even the small lanes
by profession, he has been cycling of his slum.
in the city for more than 14 years
When asked about his experiences
now. He cycles everywhere and for
as a cyclist in the city and the
everything. His daily routine for
way other motorists treat him,
cycling is from Kothrud to Deccan
he agrees that the attitude is not
and then wherever his assigned site
at all right, but over the years he
may be. He lives with his wife and
has developed techniques of not
two children in Kelewadi, a slum
always letting them have their
area in Kothrud.
way. It is interesting to listen to
He ardently defends the bicycle him as he describes his technique,
as the best mode of transport, his but at the same time he says that
most important point being that it the lack of safety in the city and
keeps him fit and away from the the attitude of drivers has much
hassles of police, PUC (pollution to do with changes in the city
8
such as the widening of roads. The talking with him we could tell that
clarity with which he sees this and he had worldly wisdom and social
his explanation for it is so simple commitment that eludes so many
and yet so convincing, because others.
it has come out of first hand
It is good to know that such people
experience. And though he feels
still exist, but at the same time it’s
he has mastered the art of cycling
a matter of concern that this breed
safely in this increasingly hostile
of cyclists is on the hit list of our
environment, his wife still continues
urbanization process that seems to
to worry about him when he is
be moving headlong towards the
outside.
unsustainable.
When asked about the facilities for
cyclists in the city, he says he uses
cycle tracks wherever they exist, but
they aren’t made well enough and
hence more often than not he ends
up cycling on the road.

It is easy to see that his children are

his pride, right from the first time
when we met him, he said, “Ask
anyone where Kadambari’s house is
and they will tell you.” Kadambari
is his eldest child, and Rohit the
younger one who says, with a spark
in his eyes, that when he grows up
he will ride a motor bike. Methkar
seemed a little disappointed by
this, but who could blame young
Rohit for wanting to do what most
youngsters do when they grow
up. People who cycle because they
want to is fast diminishing.

The story of Methkar is important

because he is an ordinary man,
who has identified what our
politicians and bureaucrats don’t
seem to understand or choose
not to. Here is a man with little
academic education, and even less
material possessions but while
9
Suresh Mehendale Mrs. Sheela Paralikar Prasad Shetty

He has been cycling religiously since A lawyer by profession, she started He owns a paan shop in Narayan
he was 10 years old, and today cycling again when she got involved Peth and cycles for about 14 kms
he is over 70. He is one of those in an environmental NGO about everyday. He says that cycling has
few people who enjoy cycling for seven years back. She realised that reduced in the city because people
what it is, not hassled by the many people should cycle for the city to want to get to places faster. Even
problems that cyclists in the city become more livable. he had tried driving a two wheeler,
face today. He is one of the founder but in few days he started losing his
Though she enjoys cycling, she now
members of Pune Cycle Pratishthan, sleep because of it. His job requires
finds it difficult to cycle during peak
a group of cycling enthusiasts like him to sit for long hours and gives
time, when there is heavy traffic
him. They arrange regular cycle him no exercise at all. Cycling gives
and not much discipline. She finds
rallies in the city as well as long him the much needed exercise.
bus drivers especially intimidating.
distance trips.
It appals her that two wheelers On Sinhagad Road, where he lives,
He feels our lifestyle has become shamelessly encroach on cycle there are cycle tracks – but when
such that nobody has the time or tracks and footpaths, even though traffic is more it spills over on the
patience to appreciate the benefits the whole road is there for them. tracks. Motorists make it difficult
of cycling. We are inviting problems She feels a five feet strip for cyclists for everyone, he observes, neither
such as pollution in our city, and is not too much to ask for, and it is are they able to move, nor are the
the ensuing health problems as essential for the cyclist’s safety. cyclists.
well. The quality of life in the city is
Even so, he says he will continue
diminishing by the day because of
cycling for the next 10 years at
high reliance on motorised vehicles.
least. Cycling keeps him fit and it
gives him a chance to interact with
people around him as well.
10
Gunwant Mahajan Amogh Paralikar

He works at the Ecological Society, Amogh started cycling everywhere is needed to cycle than to drive a
and cycles from Sanghvi to Senapati about three years back and is vehicle. Today it is the opposite. A
Bapat Road, a distance of 12 kms. surprised why he ever stopped change in attitude of all involved is
He comes from a village, where he cycling after school in the first necessary, especially for cyclists in
never felt the need for a vehicle, place. Cycling is convenient, the city who cycle because that is
most distances were covered on environment friendly and safer as their only alternative.
foot. After coming to Pune, things speed is controlled.
changed, and he got a two wheeler,
While cycling in the city, he realises
only to realise he ended up spending
that there is no conscious planning
too much time stuck in traffic. Since
for the cyclists at all. Cycle tracks
then he started cycling, and is happy
are there, but with no connectivity
with his choice.
whatsoever. Also the quality of the
He feels cycling in the city is difficult, cycle tracks is questionable.
especially with the attitude of other
The city should become more
vehicles. Lack of respect for cyclists
involved in understanding the
is evident. Cycle tracks often become
problems that cyclists face, and
dumping grounds for construction
come up with simple ideas like
materials, apart from being badly
dedicated cycle track network in
constructed and encroached upon.
the city as well as signals. Ideally,
There is no connectivity, they start
cyclists should have priority over
and end abruptly, with no ramps for
other vehicles, because more effort
cycles to get on and off the tracks.

11
In the Spotlight
Photo profiles of select cyclists

Tanmay Kedare
Age: 14 years

Tanmay studies in 7th standard in

Abhijat School in Karvenagar, and
lives in the same area. However he
cycles not only to his school, but
also to places like Narayan Peth,
Deccan and Vanaz with his friends
in the evenings. He cycles because
he enjoys it. It is also the only
vehicle that produces no pollution.

He says he is not scared of riding

his bicycle on the roads, in fact
he enjoys it. His height will also
increase with more and more
cycling, he hopes.

But when asked if he will continue

cycling even after school, he
hesitates. He already has plans of
driving a Pulsar (motorbike) then.
Bhimaji Kashinath Bhagwat Bhimaji, hailing from Solapur, has He says however, that he has
been selling guavas in Pune since been saving for a two wheeler for
Age: 43 years
10 years now. His family, still in some years now. Cycling such long
Solapur, carries on with traditional distances has become tiresome.
agriculture while he had to come Though he’ll be spending on fuel, he
to Pune because of drought and is convinced that he’ll make up by
insufficient agricultural produce 10 saved time and comfort.
years ago.

Since then he has been cycling in

the city. He cycles extensively from
his home at Pune Station to Loni
and back, a distance of about 50
Kms twice or three times a week
and at least 12 Kms daily to pick up
guavas for selling. Apart from this,
all his other transport needs are
also fulfilled by the bicycle itself.

13
Lakshman Dhondu Nikam Lakshman Dhondu Nikam came to He lives in Rajendranagar, and
Pune from Raigad in 1968 when he cycles about 20 kms every day.
Age: 63 years
took up a job in a small restaurant He cycles because he finds the
on Laxmi Road. The bicycle has distances very manageable, instead
been with him since , but now it of spending money on fuel for a
also doubles as his paan shop. two wheeler.
He opened a paan shop in 1975,
but when it had to be moved, his
bicycle became his shop.

14
Raghunath Kisan Takle He works as a peon in an office He says he doesn’t face any major
in Pune Cantonment area, cycling problems while cycling, but the
Age: 57 years
around 40 kms everyday. He lives traffic on the roads has increased
in Kothrud and has been cycling dramatically over the years, so he is
regularly for the past 15 years and cautious about his riding.
although he has a two wheeler, he
prefers his cycle as it keeps him
healthy.

15
 Vasant Tatyabhau Vajalwar
Age: 64 years

Being a goods delivery man for a

manufacturing company in Market
Yard, he cycles throughout the day,
with boxes strapped to his cycle.
He lives in Dattawadi, and cycles
around 50 kms daily. He says the
bicycle is the only vehicle he has
ever owned and driven, and the key
to driving safely for all the years
has been cycling at a leisurely pace,
without any stress.

Cycling has kept him fit, and even

at this age he never gets tired of it.

16
Suresh Ram Ghude Suresh Ghude has been cycling ever Having seen Pune right from his
since he was 9 years old, and has childhood, he says that in the past
Age: 49 years
spent his childhood in Pune itself. everybody used to cycle, there were
Today he owns a flower shop in hardly any two wheelers then.
the core city area of Pune. He lives But now, cyclists like him have to
in Balajinagar, and cycles around confront heavy traffic, pollution
30 kms daily from his home to the and the arrogance of motorists.
shop and back. His family consists But he continues to cycle because
of his wife and two children. it keeps him active. He says that his
profession is such that most of his
day is spent sitting at one place, so
cycling is the best exercise to make
up for this.

17
 Sanjay Kulkarni
Age: 55 years

Working as a security guard at

Base Security Services, Sanjay
Kulkarni cycles about 20 kms each
day. He lives in Kasba Peth and
works in Shivajinagar area. He
has been cycling regularly for the
past 25 years and continues to
do so because it is a great exercise
and is economically affordable.
Like many people of his times, he
says that earlier there were only
bicycles on the roads, so there
was hardly a question of safety or
status as such.

But now with growing traffic,

one has to cycle with care as no
proper infrastructure is in place
for cyclists.

18
Chandrakant Shankarrao He has been working in the Back when he just started with his
Marane Ammunition Factory at Khadki for job, he says everyone used to come
the past 30 years. He lives on FC on a bicycle. But now, out of the
Age: 58 years
Road, and hence ends up cycling at 20,000 staff workforce, hardly 10%
least 25 kms everyday. He rides an cycle. Today he can easily afford
old model of the bicycle, a company to buy a two wheeler, but chooses
named Raleigh and says these were not to, because cycling keeps him
the best cycles and are the easiest healthy and cheerful.
to ride. He never realises how
much he has cycled when on these
bicycles.

19
Jayant Vishwanath Pethe Jayant Pethe lives in Narayan Peth He says cycling in the city has
and owns a small paan shop in become dangerous now, but he has
Age: 70 years
the same area. He uses the bicycle seen it all and can tackle the young
for all his transport needs, inspite and the restless behind the wheels!
of the fact that he owns 2 two-
wheelers. He proudly says, that even
at this age he has no ailments of
any kind and that is because of his
cycling. His body is used to working
now, and cycling keeps him active.

20
Jayashri Dattatraya Joshi Though Jayashri learned cycling She says that she cycles because
at the age of 12, she never cycled it is still possible for her to do so,
Age: 62 years
much then as distances were short and a two wheeler will just not
and they walked to most places in be affordable when it comes to
Pune. But when she came to her managing the monthly household
grandmother’s place for holidays, budget. Her husband who owns
she would cycle everyday along a groceries shop also cycles
with other children. everywhere.

After her marriage, she didn’t start She says that even though traffic
cycling until after she had two has increased, she continues
daughters. Since then she’s been to cycle. Yes, the speeding two
cycling everywhere. She works at wheelers are a problem at times,
Kesari the local newspaper as a but by and large it isn’t all that
group reader. She lives in Shaniwar unsafe.
Peth and all her household chores
are done on the bicycle. She
has carried almost 15-20 kgs of
foodgrains and vegetables at times
on her bicycle.

21
 Surendra Singh He came to Pune 3 years back from He doesn’t show any special
Dhaulpur, Rajasthan and started affection for a two wheeler, saying
Age: 18 years
living with his brother at Gokhale he has driven one at home. But he
Nagar. He cycles not only from says he’ll definitely buy his own
Gokhale Nagar to Kothrud, where motorcycle when he gets married,
he sells bhel, but also to places like but plans to keep his bicycle at the
Juna Bazar, Pune Station and so on. same time.
When asked how he feels when
he cycles such long distances, he
merely smiles and says, “It isn’t that
far, it takes hardly 5 minutes to
come from Gokhalenagar to Paud
Road!”

22
Habib Kazi He lives in Dattawadi and has He lives with his wife, son,
been cycling for the past 9 years daughter-in-law and two
Age: 68 years
on a regular basis. He sells flower grandchildren. They have a
garlands near Narayan Peth. He motorcycle at home, but he says
cycles around 10 kms everyday. His he will continue cycling as long
cycle doubles up as his mobile shop as he can. It allows him to not
as well. only earn some money, but also be
independent and well occupied.

23
 Umakant Joshi He lives in Chatushrungi area with He says, very few of his colleagues
wife and a son in a rented house, and friends have continued cycling,
Age: 45 years
but he has bought his own house because money changes everything.
now in Katraj. He came to Pune in But for him, he cycles for its health
1990 from Beed because of drought benefits as well as for its low cost
conditions back at home. He has of maintenance – both physical and
been cycling, however, since 1982. monetary.

When he came to Pune, he delivered

audio cassettes to different shops in
Pune. Now he works for a groceries
shop as a home delivery man. He
cycles around 20 kms everyday,
apart from cycling long distances at
times for personal work.

24
Sunil Pardesi Sunil came from Allahabad 10 Now he works for a coal company,
years ago. Since then he has taken and delivers sacks of coal from
Age: 41 years
up different jobs in Pune, like Shivajinagar to Deccan everyday,
manual labour, delivery jobs and couple of times. He lives in the Juna
so on. During his stay of so many Bazar area. On an average, he cycles
years, the bicycle has been his only 30 kms. He says that the bicycle is
mode of transport. affordable and easy. Though a two
wheeler might save time and effort,
it isn’t very good for carrying goods.

25
 Shankar Rao Hande
Age: 65 years

Hande lives on JM road, and has

been cycling for the past 30 years.
He cycles all over the city for all
his work. He delivers home made
tiffins in and around Deccan area
everyday on his bicycle.

He says, he cycles because he thinks

it is the best option to keep yourself
fit while getting your work done.

26
Shashikant Rajaram Shashikant owns a tea stall in He has been cycling for 8 years now
Thakur Kothrud, and delivering tea to and will continue to do so as the
offices, shops around the locality bicycle is economical and serves his
Age: 48 years
has him cycling more than 40 kms purpose as well.
everyday. He makes several trips to
surrounding areas with a tea kettle,
and a stack of cups to deliver hot
tea to his customers.

27
 Amir Mujavar
Age: 50 years

You will find Amir every morning

near Vishrambag Wada from 7:30
am to 10 am, serving a variety of
breakfast items like Pohe, Upama,
Shira and Sabudana Wada to
people. He and his wife start
preparing these dishes at 4 in the
morning everyday, filling them into
four big pots and loading them
onto his cycle. Amir cycles from
Parvati to Vishrambag Wada with
the load, and back again at 10 am.
Apart from this, all his shopping is
also done on his cycle.

He has been cycling since 1983,

but the situation was very different
then, he says – everyone cycled and
hence everyone was equal, in a way.
Being in the minority now, he has
to be careful for his safety.

28
Community Chat
Cyclists in conversation

Interviewing and filming selected

cyclists in the city in order to make
them more visible to the citizens
and policymakers did give us a
certain insight about the problems
and concerns of the cyclists.
But in order to gain a deeper
understanding about the life of a
cyclist we decided to engage with
groups of cyclists in focused group
discussion.

Two of these were womens groups.

The first of domestic workers
affiliated to the Janawadi Mahila
Sanghatana and the second
associated with Kagad Kaach Patra
Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP) the
waste pickers cooperative working
Dattawadi
in garbage recycling. The third
group consisted mainly of young
A meeting with women who Asha says “The bicycle is looked
boys living in a settlement behind
worked as domestic help was held down upon as a ‘zero worth vehicle’,
the Pune Municipal Corporation.
at Dattawadi. These women cycle and treated likewise on the road”
everywhere and the cycle helps
“Crossing roads is always a problem,
them to juggle their different roles
vehicles never stop for us, and
at family and work.
there are no properly timed signals
These women shared their everywhere.”
experiences of cycling, which
“Cycling is much better than waiting
brought out the fact that cyclists
for the bus, we are in control of our
in the city are not respected or
own time and don’t have deal with
given priority by other vehicles or
the crowd in the bus.”
the planning authorities. Insecurity
pervades everywhere - on the
roads, while parking, and even while
watching their children cycle.

They prefer cycling over walking

and buses, but feel dedicated
cycle tracks will make their ride a
lot easier and safer. Safe, secure
parking spaces are also important
for them.
 Nigdi We met a group of 12 women in that the road space belonged
Nigdi in one of their corridors to mainly to the motorised vehicles
discuss their experiences of cycling. and they had to make themselves
It was a mixed group of women sparse to be safe.
consisting of school going children,
Cycle tracks with shade would
domestic help, those working
be an ideal cycling situation for
in waste segregation, vegetable
them. Also, if motorists were more
vendors and so on.
disciplined, they wouldn’t have
These women have been cycling to worry doubly about their own
for many years now, and find that riding plus that of the others.
though roads have become better,
“Even if you ride properly, there is
they are not necessarily safer for
no guarantee others will – our life is
them to cycle. Parking remains an
always at stake.”
issue, but the connectivity that the
bicycle provides far surpasses that “If you cycle on one side of the road,
of the bus. However during our not getting in the way of other
conversation with them, we could vehicles, why would cycling be a
sense their feeling of inferiority problem?”
and certain amount of helplessness,
which reflected in statements they “Our children cycle, but we are
made. They felt they were safe so worried about them, because they
long as they did not interfere with are more concerned with getting to
the flow of other vehicles, implying places faster, and don’t fear other

30
vehicles on road.”
Tophkhana This group consisted mostly of While most of them cherish the
school and college going young dream of a two wheeler, they value
boys, ranging from the age of the exercise that cycling provides
14 years to 20 years. The group them with. They are also aware that
came together as residents of cycling would reduce the pollution
Tophkhana Vasti, and the meeting in the city.
was held in the vasti itself in their
“When we go to college on our
local gym.
bicycles, we do feel a little ashamed,
For these youngsters, cycling as many of our friends have moved
is a mixture of recreation and on to two wheelers.”
complete commute. They are not
“We enjoy riding the bicycle when
afraid of riding their bicycles on
there is no traffic. In fact, we often
road, but only because they have
go to Sinhagad on our cycles early
learnt to handle the heavy traffic,
in the mornings just for fun, when
and not because cycling is safe
there is no traffic at all.”
in the city. They are particularly
cautious of buses on road, as they “I want to drive a two wheeler, but
tend to be intimidating and often my parents won’t get me one yet.”
inconsiderate to cyclists.
“When I cycle, I am always caught
They would love to have a cycle between pedestrians on one side
track network in the city, as well and motorised vehicles on the other.
as some security from theft and The conflict is endless.”
manhandling of parked cycles.
31
Why cycle tracks are not used

Pipes lying on the cycle track Broken bollards

Steps of foot-over-bridge encroaching on cycle track Dilapidated signage lying on the cycle track

Parked motor cycles obstructing the cycle track Car parked on the footpath

Untrimmed hedge blocking the cycle track Improperly closed man-hole cover
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