Cycling is one of the fastest way to move about in any crowded Indian Metro. (Check out a video about this)
Provided you take a few precautions and cycle sensibly commuting on a bicycle could be a very rewarding experience
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What kind of bicycle would I need ?
Most people make the mistake of compromising on their first bike, with the intention to get a better one once they are more serious. This is one of the reasons why many give up too soon. Issues with the bike, bad gear shifting and heavy bikes don’t cut it and are a bad way to start something good. The reason bikers are ready to jump onto their bikes is because they enjoy the experience. Spend the money and pick up a good bicycle. Even if you don’t get around to using it, there will be some kids in the family who will. A bicycle is never a ‘waste’.
Where can I get these bicycles ?
Its best to pick up a bike from a bike store manned by bikers. Its not rocket science, but there are a few things to be aware of when fitting a bike to a customer which makes all the difference, translates to a more comfortable, efficient and enjoyable ride.
Can I take the same route to get to work as I do on my motor bike ?
When considering your route, don’t think like a motorist. Think like a cyclist. Pick the most pleasant route. The shortest route might not be the best route on the cycle. Narrow, shady semi tarred roads are some of the best roads to take your bike on due to the lack of traffic. Try GoogleMaps to find a good route. Have a dry run over a weekend and get a feel for the route.
How safe is it ?
Be assertive. You have the same right to the road as an automobile. Many people are scared to ride a bicycle, but its not as bad as you imagine.
You can further minimize the risk from motorists by doing a few obvious things:
- Visibility – make yourself as visible as possible. Wear bright clothing during the day and use reflectors and lights during the night.
- Predictability – don’t behave like a motorist and ride in the middle lane. Stick to the left, close to the footpath and you should be fine. Maintain a steady line so that you don’t confuse traffic behind you.
- Hand signals – use em to indicate a turn.
What do I wear while I commute ?
Attire can make a difference to your commute.
- Helmets – We all have only have one head. 80% of deaths and serious injuries could be prevented by wearing a helmet. Your first accessory should be a helmet. Modern helmets are light, well-ventilated, and look cool.
- Gloves – if you ride a lot, wearing gloves could prevent numb hands and hard callouses from forming.
- Cycling glasses – prevents dust from entering your eyes.
- Lights – LED lamps are available in the market. They last long and are decently bright.
- Bike specific Tool kit – finding puncture repair shops is not too difficult in India. Better yet would be to equip yourself with tools and the know how to fix a puncture. Its fast and simple.
- Pollution Mask – effective pollution masks are available in the market if pollution is a problem.
Wont I sweat a lot ?
You can avoid sweating profusely by riding slowly or wearing appropriate clothing. A shower once you reach the destination would be idea. If not, you can use a damp cloth in the wash room and have a quick sponge bath. Warm water is more effective than cold. Deodorants are a good idea. You really don’t want to give all cyclists a bad name by stinking through the day. It helps to carry a change of clothes. Its more comfortable to ride in a pair of shorts and change into your office clothing after freshening up.
Wont someone steal my bicycle when I park it at work ?
You’ve got your bike, selected a route and are all set to go. But where do you leave your bike once you get to work? Bicycle parking is not given a second thought in India. Its sad cause one automobile space could be converted to create parking for 10-12 bicycles. Commuting to work on a bicycle is slowly catching on. Talk about it and convince other to do the same and push for amenities at work. Its a win-win situation for everyone.
Whilst parking a bicycle make sure you park it in a location which is visible to the security and make sure you secure the frame to an immovable object. Although various locks are available there are no fool proof ways of securing a bike. Concentrate on making your bike more difficult to steal instead.
Are there other folks who commute to work ?
Oh ya. There are loads of people who commute to work on a bicycle and Love it ! Hear it from Muralidhar, Sriram, Ravi and Dheeraj who regularly commute to work on a bicycle.
Here is an alternate view by Das
How do I handle pollution whilst on the commute ?
Most urban spaces are polluted. And while biking hard you will be breathing hard. Best way to protect yourself would be to use a pollution mask. Totobobo and Clair are some pollution masks that are available. Better to be safe than sorry.
How Much will I save once I start commuting to work on a bicycle ?
A lot :)
Apart from the obvious cost savers like fuel, maintenance etc you will also be saving on gym and medical fees.
(place holder for a nice fuel saving widget to be added later)
How do I handle rain ?
Riding a bike in the rain is actually a lot of fun. The worst part of cycling in the rain is that your bike gets mucked up and that’s fixed easily by washing it down once you reach home. Fenders (mud guards) help keeping the muck on the road off your clothes. Your stopping capacity is diminished in the rain, hence you might have to ride a little carefully. If you’re properly outfitted, riding in the rain isn’t a terrible ordeal.
Wow, I love commuting to work. Now what ?
Dig out local bike forums and join them. There will definitely be suggestions on how you can make your commute better. Maybe even find yourself a buddy to commute with. Spread the love get other folks to bike out ! Check out the Community Page to reach out to others
any Ghyan from the regulars who commute regularly ?
- Always wear a helmet
- Dont have to take main roads. Explore side roads and quieter mud roads.
- Depends on traffic, but average commute time on the bicycle and motorbike should remain kinda the same (+- 5 mins)
- You get to practice your riding skills, track stands, wheelies etc.
- You get to plan out your day while traveling to office
- You are a part of a movement. Feel it. Live it.
- Fantastic exercise
- NEVER EVER listen to any music (phone/FM etc) while riding in traffic.
- Ride DEFENSIVELY, there are enough nuts out there who believe they own the road. Again riding defensively does not mean you have to be timid, apologetic and yielding. Defend your riding space and line and stay out of others space and line. For e.g. you don’t have to hug the sidewalk but at the same time you should not be on the middle of the road blocking faster traffic.
- Motor vehicles slowdown a lot more approaching a speed bump, and accelerate away quickly afterwards. You will probably be a lot faster crossing speed bumps that other vehicles, make sure you are not tailing one too closely while approaching a bump and have a clear line, if not then lower your speed in advance.
- Do not automatically assume that if you have a green signal then you have a clear line, drivers jump signals all the time. In a hurry they can easily misjudge your speed or not see you at all, all leading to avoidable road kill. Be all the more vigilant at empty signal crossings.
- Do not automatically assume that if you are on a one way then there is no incoming traffic. Drivers drive wrong way all the time for short sections and typically shoot across from one side to the other be on the lookout. Empty one-ways require even more vigilance, especially at night, someone mght be coming the wrong way with no lights
- Give a wide berth to pedestrians stuck in the middle of a two lane undivided road while crossing especially with kids, they move back (sometimes a lot) depending on on-coming traffic without seeing the traffic behind them. or sometimes shoot across at the very last moment.
above points taken from this thread on BangaloreBikersClub