Cycling, the solution to commuting fears during pandemic?

Post the lockdown, Hyderabad-based techie, Pallavi Rangamai, has been cycling to work every day. “After seeing some of my friends cycle to office to avoid the risk of travelling on public transport during the pandemic, I, too, decided to do the same. Now, I feel more energetic and physically fit,” she says. On World Bicycle Day, today, we find out if there will be more people pedal-pushing in this virus-scarred, socially distanced world
of ours…
Fitness and movement
Felix John, the bicycle mayor of Chennai, says, “While social distancing is important, it is equally important for people to start heading out to work now. We need to build our immunity to keep this disease at bay, and, for that, we need some physical activity. Cycling ensures both — fitness and movement.” Pune-based cyclist, Nihal Singh, concurs and says, “Even a one-km ride is enough to maintain one’s daily physical need.”
Eco-friendly transportation is now vital
The fear of contracting the virus and the reduced passenger-capacity in public transport will have more people opting to travel in their own vehicles, says Felix. “But if these are going to be motorised vehicles, it’s going to pollute the air severely, leading to respiratory complications. At a time like this, that’s the last thing we’d want. So, cycling is the best option,” he avers.
The cost factor
Though taxis and autos are back on the roads in several parts of the country, reports say commute is going to be expensive. Even those who have their own vehicles are looking to cut down on fuel to save money. Ketan Kadam, a Pune-based student and a recent convert to cycling, says, “Cycling helps me save quite a few bucks that I’d have otherwise spent on petrol.”
Social distancing and cycling
There’s no need to stop by to refuel, no buying passes at toll booths and no cash transactions while commuting — cycling, its votaries say, is the smartest way of commuting to maintain social distancing. “We wear our mask and ride alone,” says Govind Jhamtani, from Pune, who, too, has switched over to cycling as his preferred mode of commuting to work.

Firmly in the saddle: Cyclists prepare for the ride
"The number of cyclists will increase as many people don’t want to use public transport because of corona fear"
– Manas Fuloria, Gurgaon-based corporate executive

"We need to learn from cities which have utilised the lockdown to convert existing road lanes into cycle tracks"
– Sarika Panda, NCR-based self-mobility advocate

"I am expecting to see an increase in ridership in these COVID-19 days. once that increases, We’ll get the infrastructure, too"
– Ramanujar Moulana, Chennai-based cyclist

"Motorised vehicle owners need to be educated that the road belongs to cyclists as well"
– Nuthan Manohar, Kochi-based fitness enthusiast

Pic: iStock

Giving cycling a wheel-up
"We have written to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to promote cycling in these COVID-19 times as a sustainable mode of transportation."
– T Divagaran, founding member of We Are Chennai Cycling Group, Chennai

"Mumbai has a large number of urban cyclists who cycle for fitness, leisure, etc. Now, we are trying to encourage them to cycle to work as well."
– Firoza Suresh, Smart Commute Foundation, Mumbai

"We are introducing masks that cover the entire face of cyclists, but are quite breathable."
– Rao, president of Go Green Go Cycling Group, Bengaluru
"So far, cycle hasn’t been considered as a component in the city planning or budget planning. We want to bring a change in that."
– Prashanth P Gopinath, Indus Cycling Embassy, Trivandrum

"We have asked the government to set up more cycling tracks. With people not preferring public transport due to the pandemic, we might see a rise in cycling culture again."
– Ravinder Nandanoori, founder of Hyderabad Cyclists Group

How the west promotes cycling...

• ln April, Lombardy in Italy announced it would transform 35km of its streets for cyclists and pedestrians
• The French government has announced that it would give 50 euros per person for bike repairs
• UK promotes cycling with a voucher scheme for cycle repairs
• Toronto will begin work on 25km of new bike lanes in an effort to open up roads to cyclists
• Bicycle shops were allowed to remain open during the lockdown in the UK