22 June,2009 08:57 AM IST | | Namita Gupta
Namita Gupta checks on city bikers' pulse on what gives them the kicks when they bike their way to work
Take a bath, get dressed. Put on your shoes. Pick up your laptop bag and instead of sitting behind the wheel of your swanky car, churn the roads with the wheels of your bike.
This is the way the new-age Bangalorean is commuting to work off late. Biking to work and otherwise is back in a big way. There is an eclectic group of bikers in Bangalore, growing in numbers; some really serious bikers, a few daily commuters and some weekend bikers.
Some took to biking thanks to the plight of our city traffic, which is not showing any signs of improvement, while some are seriously concerned about global warming and believe in keeping the city free of pollution by biking to work.
"I own two cars, but because of the traffic menace, I prefer to use my cycle. My office is 4 km from home, so it's quite convenient to ride. I also use public transport sometimes, but rarely use my car. I would not like to say I am really thinking of global warming, as it might sound quite bizarre, when we are always sitting in AC cabins at office and homes and not doing much about it. Let's just say, its more to do with convenience and exercise. Even my MD cycles to work all the way from Sarjapur Road to old Airport Road," says Sameer Seth, architect, Thoughtworks.
"I cycle 42 kms as part of my daily commute. Earlier I used to drive to work and it used to take me almost 90 minutes one way. But on my cycle it just takes 55 minutesu00a0 and also saves me the trouble of going to the gym, which means that I save over 90 minutes every day," says Ravi Ranjan Kumar, trustee, RideACycle Foundation.
I want to promote public transport and don't want to add to the city's chaotic traffic congestion. I rarely use my car. I love to cycle to work. My house isu00a0 7 kms from office and for the last four years I have been regularly biking to work. I feel quite energetic and I am satisfied that I am not adding to the global warming. We must use public transport as much as possible. Infact, few of my friends at office have now started biking to work. Also, our office has a sports quota and refunds the money spent by an individual on a new bicycle
AT Rajesh Kumar, design engineer, Analog Devices
My office is close to home so I sometimes take my bike to work. I otherwise drive my car, but facing problems daily with parking and driving in the city, it's just more convenient to ride a cycle. It's more relaxing, healthy and recreational. I have discovered a small place, which is like a little green jungle at a biking distance from my house. My friends and I go early in the mornings, every day on our bikes to this hideout. It's good fun and refreshing to bike amidst the greens, is a lot of fun too
Amit Rastogi, CFO, GE
Nude riding
Saturday 13 June 2009 was World Naked Bike Day, when in cities around the world, people rode naked as a peaceful, imaginative and fun protest against oil dependency and car culture. The ride demonstrated the vulnerability of cyclists on the road. The bikers met at Hyde Park Corner near the statue of Achilles, in Sausalito, San Francisco at 3.30 pm and rode for almost an hour.
The first World Naked Bike Ride was first held on June 12, 2004, when 58 cyclists rode naked through London's Hyde Park. The police were tolerant and there were no arrests, and the public enjoyed the event. At the Hyde Park ride, nearly a dozen clothed cyclists were inspired to disrobe spontaneously and join the leisurely nude ride. The event has continued to grow in popularity and in 2007 and 2008 over 1,000 people rode through London.
Where: Fire Fox Bike Station 324, Indiranagar, CMH Road
Ph: 25277011
Bums on the saddle
#327, III Floor, 15 Cross,
2 Block Jayanagar
cycles@bumsonthesaddle.com
