I have been cycling to work
once a week for last six years now. It has been a great journey so far and I
feel confident now that it can work. There are people who are not convinced
about it and hesitate to try it out hence thought it will be a good idea to
share my story to so that you can make your story.
I started cycling to work in
the end of 2008. I read a small write-up in the newspaper about a Software professional
who cycles to work. Inspired by her story, I picked up my daughter’s bicycle
one morning and hit the road. It took me real long. However it was so
satisfying that I started doing this regularly.
After a few days, I realized that, my sweet daughter was in trouble at
the idea of losing her bicycle to my new venture of cycling. Each day after
reaching home from school she would check on her bicycle first.
I then realized the need for
buying a new geared bicycle. There it was, my brand new La-Sovereign which I
proudly took to office the next day. It was only 7 kms one way. I started enjoying my rides and felt really proud when people stared at
me in dismay. The children would look and me in disbelief since they never saw
an elderly woman riding a bicycle.
This
went on for a few years. Since I am a Rotarian I was invited to join the Rotary
Cycle Group. After a few months also met
a group of Doctors who cycled every Wednesday morning to Taljai. This opened a
whole new world of cycling to me. I learnt slowly about gear, types of
bicycles, bicycle maintenance and various cycling related activities.
My
pride of cycling was crushed in a moment as soon as I learnt about how people
ventured out to Goa, Kanyakumari and Leh on two wheels. I continued to cycle to work on week day and
explore the nearby places in Pune on weekends. As I look back, I feel, cycling
has opened new doors to the beautiful natural landscape to me. I enjoy pedaling
on two wheels and reach out to the nature. But at the same time since I realize
if I do not contribute my bit to save it I will not have this opportunity for
long enough. Hence with this selfish instinct I continue to cut through the
traffic of Pune to reach my office on my bicycle. There are some myths about
cycling to office due to which people do not ride their cycles to office. Hence
here is my version of cycling to office.
Cycling
to office has several advantages.
·
It saves time in
peak traffic hours: I have proved it several times. I have started with my
another colleagues in the evening at 6 pm on my cycle and my colleague in a
car. We hit Prabhat road exactly at same time. About a couple of days ago I
took the same time as a bus took on the same route.
·
No need to spend
time on workouts: Your commute time is also used for the exercise since you are
burning enough calories. Hence you do not have to spend additional time on
workouts.
·
Save Oil: You are
helping the nation by saving fuel. Remember you may be rich enough to burn fuel
but your country is not.
·
Leave the green
planet behind: I want to handover a cleaner environment to my children.
At the same time there are certain
myths about cycling to office.
- · It is dangerous.
- · You perspire and stink through the day.
- · Traveling long distance
- · Carrying Laptop, office bag etc.
Though some of these problems
are genuine, there are ways to tackle all of these. Though there is no right or wrong way, I can
only describe my way.
I always wear a helmet
whenever I am on the saddle. The helmet provides protection from being
ill-treated on road. People take you seriously and treat you with basic
respect. They know you are literate and are a serious cyclist. So guys cycling
gear is not for the direct protection but protecting you indirectly. If people
recognize you as a serious cyclist, they stay away from you and you are
automatically protected. Hope you get my point.
I normally keep a set of
office wear in my office cabinet. This helps me carry less weight on bicycle. I
travel on my cycle twice a week. Hence rest of the days I can replace the
clothes or other accessories.
We do not have a shower
facility. However for Pune weather, you can manage without a shower. There are
other ways in which you can overcome this problem. You may like to enroll in a
Gym near your office, change over and reach office.
There is a genuine problem for
those who travel 30-40 kms one way. In such cases it may be appropriate to
travel one way on cycle and return by say a company bus or take a lift or use
public transport. Repeat the same
activity next day in a reverse order. This may be slightly inconvenient but
certainly worth the effort.
I have seen several people
carring laptops on their backs. You may use the carrier or pannier too.
Two pedals and one saddle are
the best company I ever found. The entire experience is really enjoyable. I
have met very interesting people on this journey. You meet truck drivers who
are otherwise rowdy but try to slow down and keep a safe distance till they
pass by a cycle. There are people who wave and you. Children look at you as if
you are an alien and flash a rejuvenating smile. Policemen enquire, where you came from and
make way for you.
My experience of cycling to
work is fabulous. I wish more cyclists take up to it and make this city cycle
safe. The whole new world can open up for you, the doors to freedom, meditation
and zeal, and the doors to humanity and warmth of life. Above all cycling will certainly
teach you one important life’s lesson. “Pedal or perish”.
