Cycling

PEDAL P O W E R

Cycling

in Corona times !

Remember Jyothi? The girl from Bihar who did the impossible feat of cycling 1200 km with her father on the pillion, that too on a rickety old bicycle bought in second hand? In the wake of the unprecedented reverse migration that followed with millions hitting the road earlier this year, the ubiquitous vehicle for moving from place to place was the pedal power or merely the feet. Though there has been no focused research on the percentage of people affected by Corvid 19 virus, from among the people who moved back

Manish Jain

from cities, the available empirical evidence points to the resilience of the people in fending off the impending disaster that befell the urban counterparts. There is also increasing global evidence, that young people involved in physical exercises are less likely to be affected by the killer disease. The pandemic has taught us among many significant lessons, the absolute need to keeping fit to become to be immune to any lethal infections or other debilitation. "Upper respiratory diseases caused by Corona viruses themselves don't kill but the co morbidity owing to lack of immunity and pre

existing ailments are the reason for most deaths", explains Dr Aryan, a practising doctor from Delhi. There are thousands of papers being written today to explain the process of how the Corvid 19 has become a killer disease, almost all of them pointing to lack of immunity in people owing to poor health and wellness practices. While the young may have the insurance of youth, what about those above 50 years of age and senior citizens? " Cycle is my shield against ill health", explains the senior journalist, and former Executive Editor of Business India magazine Thothathri Raman (62) based in Delhi. A long distance cyclist for some years, Mr Raman does an average of 30 to 35 km every day without fail everyday. Even during the recent nationwide shut down, everytime a window opened, he will hit the road with his RS 500 Riverside BTwin cycle. "Now that there is no restriction on the movement of people in Delhi, I am on the road from 6 am to 9 a.m. So are many diverse range of cyclists which is a good thing", he says. With multiple warnings about exposure, why would a senior citizen like him would risk it? "Of course there is the big risk of being infected

Manish Jain, Chairman, Indus Business Academy, Bengaluru “There is also a lot of action likely to happen on the cycle front especially in the large academic and corporate campuses where internal movement within a campus is a challenge"

from close association with people who may be already infected. But this risk is more in a morning walk at the neighbourhood park than when you are astride a cycle", he explains. In the park, while walking or jogging, the distance between people narrows down to nothing frequently as joggers pass you by or people coming from the opposite direction. While cycling there is a natural distance of more than two meters from the nearest cyclist, except at traffic signals or checking points on the way which happens rarely especially in the morning hours. The natural social distancing that occurs and also the whole body exercise that cycling naturally provides, are best antidote to virus affliction. Prof Prasada Rao, associate dean of Gitam University Business School is a regular

cyclist at Vishakapatnam streets. "Cycling is the best exercise I found which I am regularly undertaking whenever the lockdown is eased", he says. According to

PEDAL P O W E R

Prof Xaiver M J , a motivational coach and former Director IIM Ranchi and currently heading the Technology initiatives of Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) Chennai, the most important side effect of the prolonged lockdown and the constant flow of information relating to deaths form around the world and even the neighbourhood, is mental depression. "Most people not used to be sitting at home and starring at the screen for long periods of time, especially from among the faculty colleagues, leads to mental depression and lack of motivation to do anything", he explains. The advent of online education and home office working and the strict guidelines that govern from people assembling together for exchange of pleasantries has already affected mental faculties of many. Cycling,

according to Prof Xavier offers a healthy alternative to be with people without actually coming in to close contact with any. His recommendation even for the students who are facing the lockdown and other senior colleagues from the academia and corporate, set out on your bicycle at lest for an hour or so. "Delhi Roads are full of cyclists nowadays", Ramesh Pathania, the Photo Editor of Hindustan Times Mint observes from his own morning sojourn on his ageing bicycle. "I am wanting to replace my bicycle with a new one the first available opportunity", he offers. Decathlon the French sports and fitness chain of stores having its outlet in Ghazipur, Uttarpradesh part of New Delhi National Capital Region, has hardly any stock of cycles on its racks. The chain sells B Twin

Thothathri Raman Founder www.cycletofuture.com "Now that there is no restriction on the movement of people in Delhi, I am on the road from 6 am to 9 a.m. So are many diverse range of cyclists which is a good thing”

brand of bicycles. And interestingly its maintenance section has a large chunk of cycles hinged on work benches from people who are rediscovering the happiness of the saddle! "Though we are acutely short of staff owing government directive on restricting number of people working at the establishment in any given work day, we are working our best to provide cycles in good conditions to the customers", explains Mukesh a mechanic at the stores who himself a champion rider with a number of long distance rides of between 600 km to 1200 k m. Industry reports suggest from around the world, there is an upswing in the sale of cycles even though the trend is yet to be seen in the Indian markets. In India the reports are somewhat mixed with the southern leader in two Bicycles, TI cycles reporting a huge surge in demand for tts cycles while . ironically, the Atlas cycles one of the iconic

names of Indian cycling, is closing down its factories owing to lack of demand. Hero cycles has put in place a major plan to increase the range of offerings based on its own design and also based on its range of collaborations with some of leading cycling brands from around the world. Cycling is not only a mode of pollution free commute and to maintain fitness levels high but a passion says Manish Jain, Chairman of Indus Business Academy, Bangalore. Himself a keen cyclist, owing a Trek model bought more than a decade ago, Manish is hopeful that cycles would be back to reckoning, through with more advanced features. "Along with kids and youngsters, I strongly believe that senior also will take cycling seriously and seniors clubs will become a big hit promoting cycles among people who are needing exercise and can afford high quality cycles from among the genre of senior citizens" feels Manish Jain. "There is also a lot of action likely to happen on the cycle front especially in the large academic and corporate campuses where internal movement within a campus is a challenge"

"Every major brand of cycles is today in the Indian market, which has become a challenge to the Indian makers of cycles. The only thing that is preventing big brands like Trek, Giant, Canondale, Bianchi, Kona etc., from flooding the Indian market is the policy regime which is still not conducive for the bicycle import and sales " a leader dealer in cycles from East Delhi observes without wanting to be identified. "We deal with all companies and I don't want to be identified with one brand or the other", is his explanation. Leading bike brands BTwin, Firebird are already popularly available in India thanks to their tie up with Indian manufacturers. In the months to come, bicycle sales is going to be shooting up provided there is orchestrated campaign by the manufacturers and the media to sensitise the users to hitting the road for health and Covidcare. .