News approved.

Earlier, a bicycle was simply unrealistic as I had to travel 60+ kms daily to and fro, both in traffic and highway. I used my motorcycle. Since I shifted. My workplace is only about 25 mts walking distance. There is no traffic to talk about . I seriously considered buying a bicycle and then another problem struck me. The heat and humidity is simply unbelievable during summer. I tried walking to office a couple of times and I always arrive completely drenched in sweat. Its like taking a shower with your clothes on. With umbrella, it helped lessen the burning heat, but sweats still the same. During monsoon, despite having a car. I often walk to office with my umbrella as I found this more convenient and pleasant. Monsoon is over and I'm back to my motorcycle

In west/us/europe. The climate is relatively cooler and I surely wouldn't mind commuting on a bicycle. But here in Mumbai (Thane to be precise). I don't know. Maybe in winter, which by the way is just a blink of an eye. Which means, my bicycle will rot for the rest of the year unless I take up exercise before sunrise or after sunset. But then, that wouldn't be commuting.

I agree...you see even my workplace is a good 50km ride/ drive to and fro. The kind of traffic and road conditions render it impossible to ride to work on a cycle. However, winters are super here...not too cold but enough to wear a warm jacket while riding. Riding early mornings or late nights is possible and we have some dedicated cycling tracks on most of the raods here.

Biking to Work

I am glad to know that I am not alone in the "biking to work" category. I reside in Mumbai and my residence & place of work are 20 km apart each way. For the last many years I used to commute by car which since the mid-90s has been a one-way drive to hell. Now even with the Bandra-Worli sea-link coming up (75/- for a round trip) it takes anywhere between 50 mins to 1hr in the morning to be in office by 8:30am and around 1hr 15min to 1hr 45min in the evening. Not to mention the Rs.50/- parking per day. The Fuel cost would be at least 2 full tanks which is approx 4800/- per month. So we are looking at a total cost of approx 7800/- per month should one use the car.

I began riding to work each day since the last 3 years. I earlier rode a Karizma and recently switched since Jan'10 to the Yamaha R15. Boy - What a Difference! I now reach office in 30 - 35 mins and always on time and reach home in 45 - 50 mins during peak hours in the evening. Since bikes are not allowed on the sea-link I also save money. The parking in my office building compound is 700/- for 3 months. My fuel expenses are 1600/- per month. So my total expenses by using a bike per month works out to approx 1850/-.
And yes, I have noticed over a period of time, the steady increase of people joining the "going-to-work" bike revolution. Some are regulars whom I see everyday. Most of them are passionate bikers with their machines in good shape. Many wear super riding jackets, gloves and most ride responsibly and all of them wear helmets. Wonder how many guys get a wave and a smile from other car owners in the morning on their way to work?

So not only do I get to partake everyday in my favorite pleasure which is riding but also save 40 min off my time and 5950/- per month in money terms. Not only Am I and like others who ride each day doing our bit to save precious natural resources and probably emit lower emissions at the minimal expense of comfort (summer months) albeit for a short while, till one, in any case, reaches an air-conditioned office. Yes, riding is a ***** during the monsoon which is when I use the car and reminisce about the times during the rest of the year when I ride and look forward to saddling up again.

There have been times when I have stood at a signal light next to someone in a chauffeur driven Mercedes (chap is bored out of his skull) with the chap looking wistfully and enviously at me wishing he had the balls to ride and be free.

Given the state of our infrastructure which is always ten years too late I encourage people to embrace riding and the many positives that it can bring to your life in the city.

^^ how does the topic veer from cycling towards biking to work

I travel a 100 kms daily to office & home on a bike.doing that on a cycle in mumbai would surely require superhuman efforts

@DK:True. My college is 7kms away from my place. But it is too difficult to ride a bicycle/walk in such scorching sun and the humidity makes it worse.

The cycling to work is obviously not an option (unless you are a doodhwala) . So the next best alternative is biking to work.

Well its great that many of us including me ride motorbikes to work instead of fancy and expensive cars...but I guess we were discussing the pleasures of riding a bicycle maybe not to your workplace but for short distances eg. getting the grocery, ATM visit or just maybe for a good cardio.