CHANDIGARH: Poor man’s means of transport—bicycle- once is on the verge of extinction again regains popularity if the sales of bicycle is of any indication. The economic meltdown due to COVID-19, so it seems, has had little impact on the sale of bicycle in Chandigarh, if the revenue netted has made the slowdown turn on its head.
Keen on making good the losses incurred during the three decades, cycle is approaching its extinction on city roads again bounce back. COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented bicycle sales in Chandigarh, as more and more people try to avoid public transportation for fear of contracting the virus. Cycle sale doom suddenly turns into boom. Pandemic has impact the life hard but it has also taught lessons. A cycle seller in Sector 47 sits idle the whole day but now he finds it difficult to arrange cycle on demand. “Cycle parts are in shortage and there is 15-day waiting list, ” said he. He also disclosed that there was 3-fold increase in the sale of cycle.
Rama Store in Sector 22 stated that his bicycle shop has been ringing all day. Early in the day a line forms outside. Business is booming and rush is increasing, says he. He admitted that like Chandigarh, across the country has experienced a boom in bicycle sales. Although city was not bicycle-friendly, there has been a sharp increase in recreational cycling during the pandemic as perople try to beat cabin fever during lockdowns, get exercise or avoid commutes on stuffed public transport. Bansal and his partner have been running a shop selling high-end bicycles and accessories in a posh area of Chandigarh. Business suffered during India's nationwide lockdown announced in March, but he has more than made up for it since the easing of restrictions. In the last two months, sales have increased up to five-fold, " he told and added "We've already done enough business for the whole year."
Gupta still opens his store at 11 in the morning, but he is often forced to close late as customers keep coming in. He said the shop sees about 50-60 customers a day, without asking for the price. Ordinary cycle costs between Rs 4000 to Rs 5000. Some are willing to spend more.
Such boom in the bicycle industry has never come for past three decades. Pandemic has also make people health conscious. Not only children but also old and fat men paddle cycles on city’s road instead of walks in the parks. As more cyclists take to the streets of Chandigarh, people are starting groups on social media to meet and organize rides. People wanted a break from this monotonous routine during the pandemic. Cycling enthusiasts have banded together to lobby for more bike lanes and promote the benefits of cycling for the community. Gurpreet, a member and organizer of the group, said that they have also brought a lot of people to the sport of cycling since the lockdown began. Some people come to them having never ridden a bike before.
Most of people cannot afford a car or motorbike, so cycling has become the only option for them now, says Singh and added even people who can afford motorized transport are starting to opt for cycling. But the boom in cycling also needs safety on the roads and efforts to enhance the comfort of cyclists, he said.
True, Covid-19 has saved the cycling from extinction.