A Bicycle Trip to Net-Zero Target 2050
Featured in The Teenager Today. June 2023. pp. 18-19
1.5 degree centigrade -
to maintain the average temperature rise within the limits of 1.5 degrees above
the pre-industrial era temperature is the target the world nations have agreed
upon at the Paris summit in 2015. A major contributor to this cause is said to
be fossil fuels, of which one major source is automobiles - around 21%, next to
power-generation sector which is around 38% (2021). This is a domain, which can
be radically altered by individual mobility choices, thus contributing to the
1.5-degree c global targets. Two nations that lead in
this direction through individual mobility choices of the citizens are
Nederland and Denmark in terms of percentage of urban trips, where as China and
Japan are said to lead in terms of total trips. It is said to be a smart urban
policy for developing countries like India and China, where much of
infrastructure is yet to be developed, to build cities for cycling that would
lead to cleaner air and safer streets (The Institute for Transportation and
Development Policy, New York). It is learnt that Kochi metro does that.
But a
sample study by Statista involving about 1000-5000 respondents from each of the
participating countries by Statista revealed that 36% of Indians used bicycle
as their means of transportation for work. Though valid conclusions are difficult
to be arrived at on the basis of such studies, thanks to unaffordability, many
of the rural Indians still use bicycle as their means of transport. However,
from my experience of the North Indian cities of 1980s, the present-day cities
are choking with motor-cycles which appear to have replaced the bicycles by
more than 50%. That is not a studied assessment, though.
Some Bicycle History
Though there are conjectures and stories tracing the initial ideation of
bicycle to Leonardo Davinci or his followers, the recorded history finds a
patented machine that can truly be claimed to be forerunner of the present-day
bicycle in Laufmaschine (running machine) of 1817, patented in 1818. It
was designed by baron Karl von Drais, a civil servant of Baden in Germany,
after whom it was also called Draisine. It is also called Dandy Horse and
Velocipede. It is assumed that the starvation death of horses due to crop
failure in 1816, prompted him to find a mobility substitute for horses. It had
a wooden structure and iron wheels, and moved by foot-pushing. By 1819 it had
become the craze of London, with a more ergonomic design. In 1853, Philip
Moritz Fischer of Schweinfurt, Bavaria, introduced pedal to his bicycle.
However, it was Pierre Lallemont who holds a patent for the first pedalled
bicycle in 1863 in the US. Late 1860s saw addition of solid-rubber tyres, which
gradually changed its status as 'bone-shaker'. Further adaptations and mass
production in England and New England led to bicycle becoming a popular
machine, but still affordable only to the upper class. The other major
developments on the bicycle were the introduction of rear wheel chain drive in
1880s and pneumatic tyres (John Dunlop) in the 1888.
By 1920s automobiles
became popular in the US and bicycles (usually called ‘bikes’) began to be
treated more as a children's toy, whereas in the Europe it still retained its
popularity. However, US and several European countries have still promoted ‘biking’
by way of ample provisions of dedicated bicycle lanes in several cities. US and
later Japan transformed bicycle into a war time transport. The Japanese had
bicycle troops serving the forces. It was China that really popularised the
machine as the government approved mode of transport, and with the slogan 'a
Flying Pigeon in every-household' truly earned the title of the Kingdom of
Bicycles.
Indian Trends in Bicycle
Use
There were
traditionalists in the colonial India who looked at the rare bicycle user as
some moral pervert. However, post-independence, bicycle (usually
called cycle) grew in
popularity as a mode of transport. Yet, an Indian family, average
in terms of income, could not afford a bicycle. By the 1970s and 80s,
many working-class and middle-class people had been using it as a means to
commute to their work place. In those days, some states or cities of the
country mandated the cycles to have permits to be used, the bicycles used to
have a metal badge (billa) attached to them indicating this. The arrival
of more fuel-efficient new generation motorbikes in the early 90s and purchase
without downpayment of the amount becoming a possibility, combinedly worked to
gradually displace bicycle into oblivion in a matter of 2 decades. All
the same, with 15 million cycles produced and 1 million employed, a UN study (UNIDO, 2019) placed India as the second largest manufacturer of the industry valued at $1.5
billion.
In the
1990s, as a resident student for Post Graduate programme in Mumbai, one of the
first purchases I made was that of a sturdy HERO bicycle for somewhere around
Rs. 1500.00. I managed to commute on that bicycle from Deonar to Sion and
Dharavi, and Andheri and Malad for my field trips and visiting my friends and
acquaintances, in spite of the busyness of Mumbai city which had no flyovers in
those days. But today, the trend appears to be that bicycle is a 'vehicle
for school going students'. Once they complete 12th grade, good many of
them find it below their dignity to use a bicycle to commute, and they almost
force their parents to get for them a motorbike or a scooter, with e-scooters
beginning to get popular in the last two years, and making in-roads into the
grade XI-XII group as well.
Our centres of excellence
- the IITs, were remarkable for their sprawling campuses and the consistent use
of bicycles by the students during the four years of their learning
there. I do not know how far this healthy heritage has been kept alive.
Over a period of last 20
years bicycles have become a machine drastically transformed with a price range
between 6000.00 rupees for the kids' bicycles, Rs. 8000 - 10000.00 for the
conventional steel frame bicycle (classic as termed by Hero company) to 450,000
rupees or more for light weight carbon or titanium bicycles. The implication is
that a good, modern bike is not easily affordable for the poor. The
conventional stores have almost disappeared, which typically used to do repairs
and provide bicycles for rent. When I began to learn to ride a bicycle,
it was 30 paise for an hour. You could have the bicycle for a whole day
if you paid some four or five rupees. The more fashionable bike stores have
emerged in almost all residential areas. However, the old-time repairs are no
longer easily available. Where I reside now in Kochi, in around 3 km radius of
our residence, there is just one repair shop, and the mechanic is also not
always available.
Even the trend of
patching a puncture of the tube appears to be disappearing. It is
considered much easier to replace the tube than to repair it. Thus the 'use
& throw' culture and thus adding to the waste dump on the face of the earth
is contributed by this innocuous instrument as well.
One tedious task in
earlier times used to be that of inflating the tyres. A pump was a rare
instrument, usually available only with the cycle (repair) shops. You could go there, inflate the tyres on your own for
free, or get it inflated by the mechanic or his assistant for 10 paise.
Gradually the shops began to have an electric pump, which did the work much
more efficiently, but had to be paid a rupee or two for this service. By then,
more people began to have a cycle pump at their homes. (Still the task
was often tough, and in itself a very good calorie burner. I used to count up
to 50 or even more pumpings, at times, to inflate just one tyre. And in
the hot summer of the North India, that itself would make us sweat profusely.) Then
there appeared on the scene the modern (Chinese) pumps, light weight, easy to
connect, and effortless to pump, with very minimum pressure to be exerted. More
refined and handy versions have appeared, including portable, light-weight and
not-very-expensive electric pumps. Thus, what was once, at least for me, a very
cumbersome task, in using the bicycle, has now become a comfortable one thanks
to improvement in technology.
Bicycle
used to be a family vehicle for many at one point of time. The top bar used to
have mini-seats - one or two - for seating kids. Even without that the
tube served as a seat for a child or an adult, besides the sturdy carrier,
which served as a seat or a carrier for goods. (The new designs usually
have a slanting rod for the top-tube, and come without the sturdy carrier,
depriving the bicycle of this utility). Fish, ice-cream vendors had their big
ice-boxes or basket on the specially adapted carrier by which the bicycle
served as a mobile shop, and thus, a bread winner for the family.
But bicycle has made a
powerful come back from around 2010 - in its new popular avatar as a means of
sport and a fitness tool. When contrasted with 20th century trends, today
safety has become a major concern and that would entail a list of accompanying
gears which have become almost mandatory in many places - definitely adding to
safety, but also to the cost, making the machine a little more unfriendly to
the poor.
BICYCLE DAY - SALAM
(peace) Bicycle!
The month of June appears
to be the most popular planet care month. With World environment day falling
sandwiched between World Bicycle Day (June 3rd) and World Oceans Day (June 8th)
- befittingly so, with friendly commuting the land terrain and care for the
world wide water bodies as concerns affecting the environment of our common
home. The bicycle day is the outcome of the determined effort of the US based
Sociology professor Leszek Sibilski, in collaboration with his students for
'sustainable mobility for all', leading to the 12 April 2018 UN resolution
declaring June 3rd as world bicycle day.
Indeed, I feel bicycle is
indeed a symbol of peace! It is a Schumacher* like symbol of happiness in small
things and of utilising technology for making things easier while making sure
that that is not harming the planet. It is a noiseless (less noise!) and very
less intrusive or invasive technology. The earlier editions with their metallic
structure, was almost fully recyclable, but for the odd plastic 'flower' or the
seat or top-tube cover used in giving the bicycle an attractive look! In spite
of the non-recyclability aspects of the modern bicycle, it is still something
to be promoted.
ADVANTAGE BICYCLE - NOT
JUST FOR A DAY, BUT FOR EVERYDAY!
1. As an earth friendly
means of commuting, especially for shorter distance ranging from 1 to 10
kilometres, with its ability to cover 10 kilometres in less than 40 minutes of
serene and effortless ride, even in a high intense traffic jam. By opting ‘cycle’
as your mode of transport you are also involved in ‘climate action’ (SDG 13)
and in effect, becoming a non-aggressive eco-warrior!
2. If you want to combine
it with fitness, it is an excellent muscle toner and stretcher for abdominal,
thigh and calf muscles.
3. It is recommended even
when you have problems with your leg, knees or ankles which prevent your normal
walk or jog (case specific).
4. It ensures you a seat
for yourself even in the busiest hours of commuting, which is not often a luxury
in urban public transport systems in India.
5. It can easily carry
your bag of books or laptop, with its carrier/basket attached behind or in
front of the bicycle.
6. If needed, it can
carry your friend or companion or child, with no additional cost, but for the
added effort or energy spent.
7. It can save fuel and
thus in covering your office distance in the range of 10 kms can assuredly save
you a minimum of 40 to 100 rupees you would have to spend on a motorbike or a
car every day.
8. It usually doesn't add
to the traffic pollution, and finding a parking space, in general, is not at
all tough for it.
9. With a little
training, one can manage its maintenance oneself
10. Given an odd
situation, it can even be carried - especially with the modern hi-tech bicycles
weighing between just 7 to 12 kilograms.
11. The modern
electric/hybrid bicycles give the advantage for those want to combine sport and
office purposes.
Policies - Praxis
Bicycle was conceived as
an incentive by some of the state governments for promoting basic education,
especially of the girl child. However, to what extent the beneficiaries
continue with their studies and their bicycles is a case worth exploring.
Those who commute to
workplace should be encouraged by the employers by providing facilities for
freshening up after the ride, if warranted, and also by the state (or employer)
by incentivising them for every kilometre they cover on bicycle for work. I was
told by a Belgian professor that the state had this system. I suggest that even
a tax benefit could be thought of for the bicycle commuter.
Even before that, the
town and village planners should factor in for safe bicycle paths connecting
the length and breadth of the human habitats so that individuals find it safe
and fast to reach their short distance destinations. Any new road being planned
should have this facility attached.
At least, a few metros
rails in India try to promote bicycle ride by making provisions for bicycles
available at the station - on a pay – use - drop-at-your-destination basis. I
would suggest, if the modern metros make provision for carrying the bicycle
along while they commute by the train, by setting apart a bogie/car for the
same (New York Metro Transit Authority permits this on its subway trains).
Schools and colleges
could encourage students to use bicycle as their mode of transport. At
the college level, it could be promoted by incentivising the regular users of
bicycle.
|
PRAXIS
Sacred Heart College, Kochi introduced an award for all those
students who used bicycle as their regular transport to the college. We
could find no more than ten with just about five being proudly regular to
make use of bicycle as their mode of transport. When a student appeared
for interview after getting admission in the general merit for Chemistry, I
asked him how much he weighed, and he reported it was above 90 kilos. With
his parents present, I asked him to use bicycle to come from his residence at
Thoppumpady, just about 6 kilometres away. I had forgotten all about
it, as I used to do that with several students. About year later, a
student reported at the principal’s office to meet him, and he was let in. He
introduced himself as the student of I DC Chemistry, and reminded me of my
instruction to him. He said that he was radically transformed by adhering to
the suggestion, and by then he had reduced his personal burden on the planet
by almost 30 kilos!! Next year, he called me up while I was travelling saying
that he was calling from Bangalore, after covering the entire stretch from
Kochi on his bicycle! Wow! I was bowled over! In the third year, in company
of a few other students he rode up to Kanyakumari with a message of peace!
Christ University made an attempt in 2021, in its Lavasa Campus,
near Pune. The campus, almost a
township in itself, lies a little apart from the city. 100 electric bicycles
were introduced on the campus on part payment basis, as a facility for the students
to move around. But there was no
enthusiastic response to it, and the project had to be withdrawn.
|
I am glad to be part of the Kochi based
initiative CyKochi which is making a vigorous effort to make Kochi, my home town,
(the length and breadth of which I have covered on bicycle and in which I had
initiated two bicycle groups) a bicycle friendly city and perhaps, the one
having the longest network of bicycle track. I hope the dream comes true.
Such citizen initiatives should come in every city and village.
In
my current post-retirement urban work-situation, I am living ten kilometres
away from my workplace, and having a midday break of about 3 hours, I try to
make my second trip to the office on bicycle covering 20 kilometres in a day,
and saving a little above 1 litre of fossil fuel from burning, and also helping
my muscles to be flexible and toned up!
Bicycle Challenge
Now, Mr. Jose (82) from
Athani, Keralam, who, in 2021, celebrated his 80th birthday in a common man's
mode of adventure (unlike George HW Bush who did that with a para jump) by
scaling 17600 ft Khardung La on his bicycle, is my challenge - to complete 80
years (God willing, inshallah, as we say it here) and repeat
the ride after him, without artificial oxygen supply!!
And I invite my young
friends, to take up the challenge, not necessarily of Khardung La, but of
boldly choosing a sustainable, affordable, peaceable, friendly mode of
mobility; and, be proud of being one step closer to a zero polluter planeter
status!
*Schumacher, 1973. Small
is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered.
<https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/11/why-cycling-could-be-good-for-the-economy>
April 20, 2023
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_bicycle>
April 20, 2023
<https://www.statista.com/chart/25156/share-using-bike-for-transportation-regularly/>
April 25, 2023
<https://nationaltoday.com/world-bicycle-day/>
April 26, 2023
<https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/meet-josettan-the-80-yo-kerala-man-who-cycled-from-thrissur-to-ladakh-101631952777618.html>
April 26, 2023
<https://www.unido.org/sites/default/files/files/2020-02/Bicycle%20-%20Industry%20assessment%20report.PDF>
April 29, 2023
Another kilometre away from the heritage village, towards the Zekreet beach side, is a very unique art installation of 20 giant circular mirrors placed on the huge scircular steel frames, giving an aerial vision of tables set. The top is white, but below almost 15 ft from the ground you see reflecting mirrors. The art is meant to reflect the viewer and the earth on which she stands! Two sets of crossed steel circles and 3 single circles complete the frame set against the desert in an enclosed campus of about 10 acres with hardly any vegetatation besides the typical desert grass. The visitor is required to walk almost a thousand steps to reach the installation, which could be bit demanding in the sun. So the perfect timing could be early moring or evening around sun set. That timing is said to have other effects on the shadow as well. However, the air was cool, and the breeze continuous once we reached under the shade of the mirrors. The artist is Olafur Eliasson and it is named: The Shadows Travelling on the Sea of the Day. Wonder and admire those who have been willing to sponsor the modern architectural art. 
