Cycling Business in

Delhi

By- Salma RehmanAJK MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia(2011-2013)

“High-end cycles have replaced the basic models and have been gaining popularity among the riders for the past 15 years now,” says Gaurav Wadhwa, a businessman. .

Along with theatre, Sudhanwa Deshpandey is passionate about cycling. He presently owns a mountain bike and is planning to upgrade to a racing bike.

Gears are a non-detachable aspect of cycling choices. Apart from the trendy factor, the gears which come in different combinations offer a tremendous control specially in a hilly 21,24,27,30terrain.Cyclists chose their bikes based on specific gear combinations for better control. There are combinations of 21, 24, 27 and 30 gears to choose from in the market.

“International brands are mostly preferred for better graphics over the Indian brands of bicycles, says Gaurav Bhalla, a cycle shop owner. Graphics and add-ons like bags, baskets, sippers etc play an important role in deciding a bike for a kid.

“There is a decline in number of cyclists during summer because of the heat stoke,” says Gaurav Wadhwa. Special attire made up of skin cooling fabric (ranging from 1000 to 10000 rupees) helps to fight heat and also balances the body temperature.

There are innumerous accessories like helmets, gloves, sippers, bottle gauge, speedometer etc. to make your ride more safer, smoother and stylish.

Shoes with inbuilt locks impart a grip as they can be easily fitted in or be taken off the pedal according to the requirement of the cyclist. Cycle pedals have spaces for these locks to accommodate these locks.

Narayan has been repairing cycles since 2008 in Green Park. He repairs 10-12 cycles everyday to meet his ends.

“The Jhandewalan market has now diversified its product portfolio and started to wholesale and retail toys and exercise equipment to maximize profits,” says Bawa GS Bhalla, President of Jhandewalan cycle market association (West Delhi). This market was shifted in the year 1979 from Old Delhi.

Gaurav Bhalla who owns a shop in the Jhandewalan cycle market says that despite the enticing graphics and features that imported cycles offer, people still pick Indian brands as far as durability matters.

“It requires special training and skills to put the cycles together. Also the advent of advanced imported cycles has raised the competition,” says Gopal, a cycle assembler at Jhandewalan market.

Workers carrying cycle rims in the Chandni Chowk cycle market (Old Delhi). These rims are further carried to the shops where the cycles are assembled. Chandni Chowk cycle market is the oldest and the largest cycle market in the city.

72 years old Rahim Hasan ,tightens the spokes of cycle tyre rims without looking at them at Chandni Chowk cycle market. With 10% of his vision left, he has been doing this work for 10 years and says that this is the only source of his livelihood.

A common man sticks to the basic models of cycle due to the high price range of the advanced models.

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