Delhi loves its fancy pedals

Head out early on a weekend morning and you are bound to spot packs of cyclists on high-end bikes wearing jerseys, helmets and full cycling gear. Owning a fancy bike and being part of a cycling group is now considered fashionable. The community of cycling clubs and groups is steadily increasing in the capital and their enviable rides can cost anywhere between Rs 15,000 and 6 lakh, according to high-end bike sellers in Delhi.
Delhi loves to show off
People buy these high-end bikes for two reasons – to show off or to actually excel in the sport. "Most people who buy these bikes, worth over Rs 1 lakh, are snobs," says bike seller, Govind*, adding, "Apart from professional cyclists, most people just want these bikes as decorative pieces to stand next to their Mercedes or Audi. Almost 70- 80% of people who purchase bikes worth over Rs 1 lakh have zero knowledge about the bike or the sport. They just want to buy a fancy cycle to become a member of a cycling group as this is the new status symbol among Delhiites. Those who actually use it for exercise, prefer those in the range of Rs 15,000-70,000."
Increased sales in the last two years
The demand for high-end bikes, that dipped after the increase in import duty from 10% to 30% two years back, has picked up again. Ajit Gandhi, marketing head for a popular upmarket bicycle brand, says, "Two years back, the number of bikes sold in the price bracket of Rs 10,000-30,000 was around 20,000-22,000 per annum, but last year we sold around 25,000. Bikes priced above Rs 30,000 used to see a sale of 2,500 per annum but last year, it rose to around 3,000. We are seeing a 25-30% growth in demand of these cycles in the NCR. Bikes in the Rs 10,000-20,000 range are most in demand. However, with the rising numbers of cycling groups in the city, premium bikes costing over a lakh also have a lot of buyers."
Gaurav Wadhwa, owner of a bike store in the city, says, "I have sold over 6,000 bikes in the last two years. These days, with the increased interest in cycling, our sales have increased by 300%. We sell over 200 bikes in the price bracket of Rs 30,000-1 lakh each month and around 300 to 400 bikes per month in the price bracket of Rs 15,000-25,000."
Onkar Singh, secretary general of the Cycle Federation of India, says, "Professional cyclists in India go for brands like Firefox, Dolan, Merida and Colnago, which are available for Rs 30,000-5 lakh. We are a government organization so we provide cycles free of cost to professional cyclists."
Singh adds, "A beginner is given a cycle worth around Rs 30,000 - 50,000 and the quality improves with the level of the cyclist. In the last couple of years, the market for high-end bikes has increased by 100% in Delhi, as amateur cyclists also buy international brands now."
Who buys what?
Gokul Kumar, advisor at a sports equipment store, says, "People in the age bracket of 8-18 years, who are also our largest customers, prefer bikes ranging between Rs 10,000 and 20,000. Those who buy cycles costing Rs 20,000 and above, are usually above the age of 24. This age group keeps upgrading their bikes as they get more involved with the sport. Serious riders who understand what they are buying and have been riding for a while buy bikes worth Rs 50,000 and above." Firefox, Montra, Urban Trail and Starkenn are popular Indian brands, while Trek, Giant, Scott are the popular international brands.
Rider of high-end bikes safer on delhi roads?
While traffic and the lack of wide roads makes it hard for cyclists to ride on Indian roads, another major concern is the attitude of motorists towards those on cycles. However, a person riding a high-end bike might have an advantage. Himanshu Kumar, owner of a Scott cycle, says, "A group of riders on fancy neon bikes always stands out, no matter what time of the day. That's the reason why most people prefer riding in groups rather than alone. However, those who go out alone needn't worry, as motorists on the road are always apprehensive that someone riding such a fancy bike might be someone 'influential'."
Some cyclists tell us that Delhiites have indeed warmed up to cyclists and are often very encouraging. Renu Kakar, a cycling enthusiast who owns a Focus bike, says, "Looking at our group, people on the road often applaud us or show us a thumbs-up. Many even slow down to ask us how much our bikes cost."
Where do you cycle in Delhi?
Despite the sense of respect on the road that comes along with owning a high-end bike, the question of where one can ride their fancy cycle still persists. Wadhwa, also the founder of a cycling group in Delhi, found this to be a major issue. He says, "Initially, the most common question was, 'Where do you cycle in Delhi? You'll get run over.' However, I found a solution to this. When our group goes out cycling, we have four vehicles surrounding us from each side. That way, we provide a safe cycling zone."
Besides this, Delhi will very soon have its own cycling zone. Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, Najeeb Jung, approved a cycling-sharing policy last month. It will be implemented in Dwarka in its first phase, and then the aim is to decongest the whole of Delhi. Apart from this, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) already have cycle stands at various points in the city where one can rent a bike at just Rs 10 for four hours.
Areas like Moolchand, Ambedkar Nagar, MG Road – which connect South Delhi to Gurgaon – the inner roads of Central Delhi and the inside lanes of Suraj Kund, Mehrauli and Chattarpur, are some of the most preferred areas for cycling.
One activity, multiple benefits
Sonik Goenka, member of a cycling group in Delhi who loves riding his Ridley bike every morning, says, "Cycling is a healthy way of improving mental and physical strength. Most people who join cycling groups do so because they are bored of closed, air-conditioned gyms. The need for a change in atmosphere and the lack of time to spend on fun field events are the main reasons behind why people join cycling clubs." The time invested in this endurance sport is often beneficial for those who want to network. Anil Bhatnagar shifted to Delhi recently and joined a cycling group to meet new people. He says, "You get acquainted with like-minded people. It's a good platform to build new relationships. I was new to Delhi and after joining this cycling group, I met a lot of people. This helped me in building more contacts, both personal and professional."
According to Mohit Mathur, member of a cycling group in South Delhi, it's the end result that matters. He adds, "No matter what your reason for joining a cycling group is, it is such an interesting activity that it usually changes your perspective. I joined a cycling group just for fun, but with time, I got seriously involved with this sport. It became a way to increase my endurance rather than just a timepass. Initially, I would cycle for only five to ten kilometres, and then I started challenging myself for 50 to 70km rides. Now, after a year, I can cycle up to 200 kms.
(*Some names have been changed)