Cycling without Barriers for 8 to 80 Years Old, and for People of All Abilities

February 8, 2021

The world is going through unprecedented health crises as the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the foundations of global economy and our society. The spread of the novel coronavirus came as a jolt to our health care systems, pressing on the need to strengthen our budgets and expenditure in the health care sector. Amidst the hardships, we are witnessing a great projection of spirit and valour amongst the front-line workers to safeguard our lives.

Due to the lockdown, the impact of the devastation on our mental well-being caused by the loss of loved ones, lay-offs and business collapse is exorbitant.

At a time when shared transportation took a major hit, the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 guideline that read “Whenever feasible, consider riding bicycles or walking for both ‘travel’ and ‘exercise’ came as a blessing-in-disguise”.

Likewise, the United Nations also advocated for increase in adoption of cycling; eyeing bicycles as driver of post-COVID-19 ‘green recovery’.

Health benefits:

Cycling paves the way to a positive mind, great confidence, healthier lifestyle and a greener planet.

Cycling gives you an amazing combination of different fitness forms since it’s a blended exercise focusing on your lower body, upper body, cardio and endurance building with long distance rides.

Cycling also helps you in burning fat and weight loss, build muscles and strengthen your core. Maintaining a disciplined riding schedule can help decrease risk of heart diseases, reduce cholesterol and keeps your lungs strong – which is much needed in COVID times.

Cycling is even good for expectant mothers and their babies.

A 20-30 minutes daily ride can increase brain power with increase in blood flow and help you sleep better.

Cycling is best for kids and if they learn it during childhood it stays with them for the rest of their lives. An outdoor activity allows children to connect with the surroundings and observe little things in the neighborhood.

During old age, cycling is a good option for short distance rides of 2-to-3 kms and higher for those who are super-fit. A bicycle serves as a close companion and keeps you mobile lifelong.

(If you are facing any health issues or just recovered from a surgery, take up cycling only after a medical advice).

Key developments:

Paris, Bogota, Milan, Barcelona, Berlin and many other cities earmarked budgets for building cycling infrastructure, considering, ‘bicycling’ has a natural ability to limit physical distancing, yet fulfill mobility needs. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of Britain in the UK parliament made an official statement “post-pandemic future will be ‘Golden-Age’ for cycling”.

At the backdrop, Brompton London joined a host of brands that are doing their best to help in the corona virus crises. The brand launched ‘Wheels for heroes’ campaign committing to deliver 1000 folding bicycles to NHS staff through a crowd-funding campaign and a host of rewards.

If we look back in history, the bicycle has served as a vehicle for justice. This reminds me of a quote by Susan B. Anthony “Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.”

From Indian context, a bicycle is seen more as a poor man’s vehicle. For these individuals, especially in rural areas, it improves access to jobs, education, and health facilities. Additionally, by addressing low female school enrolment, it has shown immense potential to promote gender empowerment.
In a research finding by TERI, more than 50% of the people in India use non-motorized forms of transport, such as walking and cycling, to travel to work. However, despite its many benefits, bicycle ownership in India has seen a very slow growth. But it jumped significantly during and after the lockdown, as reported by the All India Cycle Manufacturers Association.

Seeing a surge in sales of bicycles and global trends, Smart Cities Mission, an urban renewal program by the Government of India has already launched a nationwide campaign ‘India Cycles4Change Challenge’.

With Public Transportation becoming a key concern due to COVID-19, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) with its Smart Cities Mission intents to overhaul its urban eco-system and facilitate walking and cycling infrastructure.

Booming fitness category:

The tribe of recreational and fitness cyclists has seen a spike post the pandemic triggered a lifestyle change on the leisure front. However, the outings for these urban lycra-clad cyclists are limited to weekend early mornings, and they somehow narrowly escape the mainstream traffic and dose of other challenges.

For fence-sitters, a difficult proposition:

A host of unwelcoming hurdles are present on the roads of Mumbai, compelling enough to make cycling an adventurous outing. We call them ‘Physical Barriers’. And these physical conditions gently nudge the fence-sitters who – ‘want to cycle’ but reverse their verdict considering the scaring ambience.

If you question a fence-sitter ‘Would you Cycle to Work’? The response oscillates like a pendulum ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’ (swing back-and-forth). ‘Yes’ for the sake of the environment, and ‘No’ for personal safety.

Rightly so, ‘kyunki darr sab ko lagta hain’ (life is precious).

Do you notice how physical barriers translate into mental barriers? This is a critical matter of research on the sidelines – the link between the two, and how it affects transportation choices?

Time and again, you must have come across such instances where people are motivated to commute on a humble bicycle ‘at least for short-distances’, but refrain from doing so. Condemn a long tail of reasons which by-and-large are known to most of us. Hence, I am not reciting them again.

Hardcore commuters:

The main category is the meritorious ‘Livelihood’ cyclists who ride through the seasons and for survival reasons. Over the decades, the invincible men on roadsters have learnt to maneuver their way through the obstacles. Arguably the most courageous of the lot, they carry out a large volume of deliveries in a day, technically described as ‘Cycle logistics’ in European cities. They are the people who pedal-power the gig economy.

Barely intimidated by the surrounding conditions, they are fearless, determined and performance driven. Just visualize the imagery of a human-powered tricycle loaded with gas cans that weigh over 200 kgs being pushed around on the chaotic streets by modest skinny men in uniforms. And not to forget, they provide door-to-door services come rain or shine.

The Dabbawalas, the milkman, newspaper suppliers, food delivery apps, scrap-merchants, kirana shops etc. all combined represent the hardcore commuter category.

Need for Inclusivity:

Another neglected group is of the disabled community.

They are around us, and we often cross-paths with disabled cyclists, yet we are ignorant of their existence. The most vulnerable section, the visually impaired, and the hand-cyclists deserve greater protection and safety. The barriers they face are beyond our imagination; nonetheless, they cycle. After all, mobility is essential despite the disability. The fence-sitters must take a clue out of the indomitable spirit of the disabled cyclist.

To quote an example, ‘Cycling Without Ages’ (CWA), a social movement originating in Copenhagen, Denmark was pioneered by Ole Kassow in 2012. An Ashoka fellow and TEDx speaker, Ole wanted to help socially isolated older people return to their communities by engaging them in mutually beneficial and stimulating trishaw rides with volunteers.

The volunteer groups known as ‘Pilots’ ensure the elderly get out of their nursing homes, out on the trikes to enjoy the fresh air and the community around them. The program has worked successfully and functional in over 40 countries (excluding India).

CWA is a unique solution that brings equality and inclusivity in the communities it operates. Mumbai’s cycling community is taken for granted in stark contrast and stands exposed to numerous life threats while commuting. To wipe out disparities, there is an urgent need to eliminate barriers that restrict personal micro-mobility.

What kind of result-driven approach we are willing to take in order to protect and nurture the diversified lot – irrespective of their riding style is a matter of deliberation?

If we aim to build sustainable cities, reduce traffic and cut carbon emissions, the focus should be to facilitate ‘Cycling Without Barriers’ and enhance ease-of-mobility. Until then, the daily adventures of Mumbai cyclists continue, and Road Safety stays as a foreseeable challenge.

Next time as a cyclist if you face a threat from a motor-driver or a biker, say it a loud “Ae bhai zara dekh ke chala” (Ride safely).

About the author: Vijay Malhotra is a blogger from Mumbai. He envisions India to become a cycling-friendly nation. To further this cause, he inspires people to lead an active lifestyle by Marketing Cycling content on digital media. Vijay is the founder of popular blog pedalandtringtring.com, where he publishes articles about cycle tourism, events, news, interviews and stories that need to be told to the larger world.
Follow his journey on social media:

• instagram @pedalandtringtring
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Tags: Health & Covid, Healthy Body

All our articles are periodically updated.