Survive a bicycle commute in Bangalore

We live in interesting times

• Global Warming• Escalating Obesity• Increasing Congestion

Why do anything ?

• For your Health• For the World• For our Future

What’s the Solution ?

The bicycle is a simple solution to some of the world’s most complicated problems

5 Good reasons

• Save time• Save your body• Save your brain• Save the planet• Save money

(Audience - say Yaaaay !!)

Green ☺

Sustainable

source - MoUD

Some other famous bikers

Wright Brothers

Health benefits• Exercise / Lose weight

• Stress reduction

• 3 Hours of bicycling per week can reduce your risk of heart disease by 50%

• Endorphin inducing ride to work makes you more alert. Ride home helps you wind down

How Fast and how Far ?• Bangalore traffic

o 21 km in 55 mins (Ravi)o 11 km in 30 mins (Rohan)o 6 km in 12 mins (Pramod)o 4 km in 15 mins (Siva)

• Average: 22kms/hr

• Does your car or Motorbike go that fast in peak hour traffic?

( however fictitious the numbers may look, they are all accurate )

How Safe ?• Accident Stats

o Pedestrian accidents: 44%o Cycle accidents : 5%

( 98% of all statistics are made up. ~Author Unknown )

( source - MoUD )

Enjoy the commute

( not fictitious, still actuals )

Its all about having fun.

Issues (?)

• Stinky - • Bath• Deos• Sponge bath

• Pollution • Pollution Mask• Start Early • Re-discover forgotten bylanes

Issues (?)• Tired - Not as much as in your car

(Stressed)• Time - Commuting and Gyming at

the same time. You actually save time

• Rain - Mudguard or just enjoy it

Real Issues

• Parking

• Lack of respect on the road

• Social mindset towards a person on a bicycle

• Lack of knowledge of what a good bicycle means

( Times Of India - May 2008 )

Kick start the Habit

• Daily routine - Commute to Work• Get a biking partner - Do it now.• Ride with your kids to school• Good bike - Flaunt it ☺• Join the community

• DOo Helmeto Lightso Bright clothingo Good bicycleo Enjoy the ride

• DON’To violate the traffic rules o forget a bicycle is a vehicle too

Commute Sensibly

Here’s why...

• Others are doing it• Safer• Greener• Healthier• Save cash• More fun

Beyond Commute• Weekend rides• Workshops• Competitions / Tours

• Forums• Mailing groups• Social Networking for bicyclists• Wikis• Blogswe have a handout with all the info - be nice to us! talk to us :)

• Weigh less. Wait less.• Less Waste. less Waist.• Support Global Cooling.

get your BumsOnTheSaddleTM

( all cool slogans whacked from the 1-world-2-wheels initiative )