The year was 2006. I used to ride out on my Firefox bike to the joyful company of silent streets in Bangalore. I felt less threatened by the traffic or the people. I have to be honest – I did not tempt fate by riding out too early in the morning or too late in the evenings. Today the landscape of the city has changed significantly. The streets are not quiet anymore. The green is disappearing at an alarming rate. The skyline is all brick and cement. But as I head out on weekends, I am greeted by the cheerful wave of many fellow bikers – Scott, Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, Trek, Bianchi, Schwinn, GT in bright colours zip past me or with me. I love the growing community of biking enthusiasts in India. To fuel their passion, exciting challenges are on the rise.
India has wonderful, diverse terrains and climate to challenge and excite every biker. Each year we notice a steady rise in the number of participants in each of the races. The number of women bikers still does not match the men but we do find them proving their grit and endurance in all these races.
As a woman cyclist in Bangalore, I have found the streets to be relatively safe. I always bike long distance with male friends. However, I find it easier and safer to bike to my daughter’s school or run an errand in the city on a bike. I do face the typical issues that every woman cyclist has at some point in their ride.
1. Safety
The issue of safety is paramount to every woman cyclist in any city in India. We all would love an early morning 4 AM ride but we do know the dangers that walk or lurk in our cities. When I make long distance rides (+100kms), I am always with my male friends. I do find it relatively safe to ride during the day for shorter distances (<25kms) but I am constantly aware of my surroundings. Day light does not demotivate a determined yet troubled mind.
2. Traffic Terror
If you wish to bike to work, traffic alone would act as a deterrent to your noble intention of saving our planet. It is not just the sheer number of buses, autos, trucks, motorists, pedestrians and strays on the street that test you, but the sheer lack of traffic discipline that adds to the scary woes faced by bikers. The most terrifying moment was when four drunken youth lost control of their car and missed making a sandwich of my bike and me.
3. Stares
It never fails to amaze me at the number of people (MEN) who stare. Dressed conservatively (clearly short cycling shorts are a big NO), we still seem to attract attention, the kind that we certainly do not need or miss. I personally try to stay away from buses and trucks at traffic light.
4. Eve Teasers
You can be confident we have encountered one such on our ride in the city – ‘Nice Legs’ said one. ‘Shall I ride with you’ shouted another. ‘Call me” signaled the third. They ride too close to you, honk and smile, a wave, a whistle – we have seen them all. My personal favourite on a long ride one weekend – Two men on a bike rode up to me and asked if I was on Facebook and would like to be their friend. ‘Unlike’ would have been my response. They did not stay for the answer as they saw my male friends ride up to me.
5. Pollution
All bikers – men and women – face this issue. The worst rides are the ones during peak traffic. Like a pencil art, I can see all the lines on my face post a pollution ride! A ride to work is a dust facial ending with exhaust face pack.
6. No restrooms
The single biggest challenge faced by us is the lack of hygienic places on biking routes for a quick bathroom break. The longer the distance I ride, the harder I pray for a Café Coffee Day.
7. Rain, Rain
Bad roads, crazy traffic, the joy of biking in the rain cannot be experienced in our major cities thanks to the traffic and potholes in the roads.
8. Disregard
Cyclists are at the bottom of the chain when it comes to validation on the street. Bullied by every mode of transport that has more wheels than ours, they dismiss us as being unimportant. The next time you run into a door open on the wrong side of the street, be sure it will be the ‘woman cyclist’s’ fault. I think most suffer from ‘Women on Wheels’ or as I call it the ‘WOW’ syndrome.
Image courtesy: Shutterstock / BCCL
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