Updated On: 31 August, 2019 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Dalreen Ramos
A collapsible and compact version of the bicycle is encouraging Mumbaikars to pack their cycle and take off. A look at the city's Brompton community.

Vishal Nanil, a Kandivali resident, commutes to work by taking an AC local to Churchgate and folding his Brompton in the train. The bike is also allowed inside the Mumbai Metro. Pics/Suresh KK
About 15 years ago, when Murugan GS was diagnosed with diabetes, his doctor prescribed doses of cycling instead of medicine. He then developed a passion for cycling but it took an unfortunate turn in 2017 when he met with an accident — the high speed was to blame. Keen to begin a new journey on the bicycle, he started searching for options that wouldn’t put him in the same situation ever again.
The Brompton, a foldable version of the bicycle manufactured in Britain, didn’t exceed 25 kph. "That also meant exerting more pressure while riding, which is good for your body. I also tested other models but they proved to be heavier. That year, I wrote to the manufacturer and they directed me to the ProCycle store in Bengaluru, where I bought it from," says 50-year-old Murugan, who works as a general manager with a travel firm. The Prabhadevi resident has a cycling target of 1,000 km per month. "I also lost weight. After surgery, I was 92 kgs and I now stand at 75," he reveals.