Cycling has long been woven into the fabric of daily life in India. Just a couple of decades ago, the cycle was an essential part of most households, getting children to school, adults to work, and everyone, everywhere in between. From the wobbly first rides of young kids to teenagers mastering wheelies, to middle-aged men cycling to theatres, to young women pedalling to their colleges, the cycle was more than just a mode of transport, it was part of growing up, working, and living.
But as motor vehicles have come to dominate our streets, the space for cycles, both physical and social, has shrunk. Yet, across India, many continue to hold on to this two-wheeled connection. This World Bicycle Day, in this blog, we bring together stories from different corners of the country, spanning age groups, genders, and backgrounds, to understand what cycling means to people today.
Whether it’s riding over speed bumps for the thrill, cycling for fitness or weight loss, pedalling to earn a livelihood, or simply chasing the joy of childhood, these anecdotes remind us that cycling still belongs to everyone.
Karl Dubash, 7 years old, Chennai
“I’m Karl and I’m 7 years old. My cycle is blue and black. I used to have a bell, but it broke. I haven’t given my cycle a name yet. I usually ride around my apartment. I go out cycling about two to three times, and mostly every evening. I like riding fast! My favourite part about cycling is going past the speed breakers and riding in a zigzag. It’s super fun!
Sometimes I go cycling with my friend Akshay in Basham. We ride all around the apartment. I also go with my mom and sister. I remember my first cycle! It was light blue and white, and it had a koala on it. I liked it right away. To learn how to ride, I watched my mom and dad and kept practising. It was a bit hard at first, but once I got my balance, I was very happy. I don’t find the roads scary because my mom doesn’t let me go on them. But yes, I think they are scary. I don’t go on the roads at all, so there aren’t any places I avoid. If I could change something to make cycling better, I would wish for cycle paths like the ones in other countries. I wish we had a few in India too!”
Kid bikers, 7,10,11 & 15 years old, Kallakurichi
We are the kid bikers from Kallakurichi: Aadhav (7) on a dark blue and green cycle, Ashvitha (10) on a grey one, Aadhithya (11) riding blue, and Suriya Narayanan (15) on green. We’re four cousins who spent the entire summer pedaling through our town, and we think we’re the coolest cycling crew around!
What we enjoy most is exploring new roads, cycling down unfamiliar lanes and discovering more about our hometown as we go. Sometimes we even end up covering 10-30km just like that!
If you ever spot us, we ride in a neat line, like ants in a trail, one behind the other, matching each other’s speed. Well, almost! Every now and then, Aadhithya gets excited and zooms ahead when the street is clear. Infact, we even use hand signals like professional riders and also use aerodynamic techniques to speed.
Two of us (Aadhav and Ashvitha) have been cycling for over three years now. And through all our rides, one thing we keep wishing for is a dedicated cycle path, lined with shady trees to make the ride smooth and breezy. Our parents often tell us how they cycled to school with their friends, and we dream of doing the same. We’ll keep cycling no matter what, but we know many of our friends would join in if there were safe cycle tracks. We hope that wish comes true someday!
Saba Serkhel, 29 years old, Mumbai
“I’m Saba Serkhel, 29 years old. I work as a video and film editor, but when I’m not at my desk, you’ll probably find me sketching, reading or cycling. My relationship with cycling goes way back. I got my first tricycle when I was three, and by the time I was seven, I had my first proper bicycle. It was a hand-me-down from my sister—a bright pink cycle covered in flowers.
At the time, I wasn’t too happy with the design, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was what it gave me; my first taste of freedom. I still remember the exact moment I learnt to ride. My sister ran alongside me, holding the back of the seat, cheering me on. And then suddenly, I was flying solo. That rush, that feeling of “I can do this on my own,” has never left me. Learning to cycle remains one of my most treasured memories.
Even now, every time I ride, I’m reminded of that moment. For me, cycling has always been more than just physical exercise, it is a return to that feeling of independence. It’s a way to break away from the noise, the traffic, and the pressure of city life.
Living in Mumbai, that escape matters a lot. The roads are chaotic, packed with illegal parking, potholes, encroachments—and there’s little room for cyclists. But every other weekend, I carve out a slice of calm for myself by heading to Sanjay Gandhi National Park. There, I ride through shaded trails, under towering trees, past monkeys and the occasional deer. For a while, I can just breathe. That’s the kind of escape cycling gives me.
Over the years I have cycled in other cities too like Athens in the U.S., Ahmedabad, Bilaspur, and each place brought its own vibe. Athens had proper lanes and was safe despite the hills. Ahmedabad’s wide, pothole-free roads surprised me. And Bilaspur, with its rural quiet, felt like peace on wheels. But Mumbai…Mumbai makes you work for it. You have to be stubborn to cycle here.
My current cycle is green and black, and I call it Bill, after the long-tailed Broadbill. It’s fairly new, but like every bike I’ve ever had, it gives me the freedom and the escape, and always, a quiet reminder of a little pink bicycle, a running sister, and the first time I truly felt like I could do anything.”
Kasim Bammanalli, 33 years old, Panaji
“I’m 33 years old and I work as a poder which is a traditional Goan breadmaker. Every day, I deliver freshly baked bread and poi from the bakery to people’s homes, cycling through the neighbourhood, carrying a basket of warm bread on my cycle. I’ve been cycling for the past 17 years. Twice a day, every day, once in the morning and then again in the evening. I follow the same familiar route. It’s a routine I’ve gotten used to, and my black cycle is always with me.
I haven’t given it a name, but it’s like my companion now. Simple, sturdy, with a rack to hold my bread basket.Cycling isn’t something I find physically hard. My hands and legs don’t hurt. Sure, it’s a tough job, but the effort I put in is what I earn from. That’s how I look at it. As for safety on the road, there is not much I can do as I have to cycle, no matter what. Everything else is in God’s hands. Accidents happen. If someone crashes into me, it’s on them. If I hit someone, that’s my responsibility. That’s just how it is.
For me, cycling is not about fitness or fun. It’s part of my work, my livelihood. If the cycle breaks down, our employer takes care of it. Every couple of months, they call in a maintenance person to check all the cycles and fix whatever needs fixing. People often talk about improving cycling in the city by adding dedicated cycle lanes. But why would anyone add it just for me? And can it even be added on every street? For safety, I just stick to my route. Infact, I’ve cycled through fields, on busy roads, wherever needed. If traffic gets too heavy, I pull over and wait. I just do what I have to do.
I still remember my first cycle—it was an Atlas. Very sturdy, very reliable. Much better than the new models today.”
Karthik, 43 years, Chennai
“I took up cycling back in 2014 when I hit 116 kg and knew I had to make a change. What started with short weekend rides of 20–25 km slowly became a serious fitness routine. Initially, I was just trying to shed weight and get healthier. But things really changed when I joined the Chennai Cyclists group in 2017. With local chapters spread across the city, it became easier to ride regularly and meet like-minded people.
Over time, I started participating in endurance rides like 100 km, 200 km, and eventually timed long distance events upto 555km and 600km. These rides are self-supported and test your planning, time management, and resilience.
What started as a solo fitness goal has turned into something bigger—a community, a lifestyle, and a constant learning curve.
But cycling in a city like Chennai isn’t easy. We often ride on highways like ECR where reckless driving is a real threat. There’s no dedicated infrastructure, over speeding, and unruly traffic make every ride a risk. We try to stay safe by riding in a disciplined formation, following lane rules, and constantly looking out for each other. Still, with so many overlapping infrastructure projects and road conditions always changing, cyclists like us are left navigating a city that isn’t built for us.”
M Nagalakshmi, 58 years, Hyderabad
“My relationship with cycling has been a lifelong one, but I only resumed cycling regularly a few years ago, probably around the time I turned 50. There wasn’t any big reason or trigger. I just felt like it was time to reconnect with the child in me. And what better way than to get back on a cycle? I still remember my very first one, it was a hand-me-down, electric blue, and I rode it to school every day. These days, I ride to work, meet friends, and even just to get out and feel the breeze on my face.
Over the week, I usually cycle nearly 30-40 km for leisure. Apart from this, I cycle to the office, which is about 3–4 km away, unless the weather is too harsh or I’m wearing a saree. That’s where things get tricky. Most cycles today are built like sports equipment. Not very commute-friendly. Not women-friendly. Definitely not saree-friendly. Earlier, I had cycles designed in a way that it was comfortable for dresses. Now, what dominates the market are “performance bikes,” often with designs that exclude Indian women altogether. My saree gets caught in the chain. Pants get caught, too. It’s frustrating. We can’t romanticise this, as the industry is ignoring the reality of women cyclists.
Another big issue? Wrong-side driving. In some places, two whole lanes are taken up by vehicles coming the wrong way. It’s not just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. That’s been one of the biggest changes I’ve seen in recent years.
I really believe more people would take up cycling, like women, older adults, everyone, if cycles were actually designed for us. We need age-friendly and gender-friendly options. Something with side support, maybe even battery-powered cycles, so that riding stays fun and helps us stay mobile. And from the city’s side, we don’t need fancy cycling tracks, just better speed regulation, stricter enforcement against wrong-side driving, and maybe some traffic lights that actually prioritise cyclists.”
By Donita Jose, Senior Associate, Communications ITDP India and Shreesha Arondekar, Associate, Development and Communications, ITDP India
