Save our Wealth, Cycle to your Health!

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