Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: Memories of My “Cycling” Days

“Cycling” Down Memory Lane

CYCLE TOWN PUNE
A Punekar Cycles Down Memory Lane
By
VIKRAM KARVE

This morning I met a cycling enthusiast.

We talked about cycles and cycling.

This evoked memories of my cycling days, many years ago.

I realized how much the very concept of cycling had changed.

So – I thought it would be apt to post a piece I wrote 10 years ago called CYCLE TOWN PUNE – harking back to memories of the 1960’s and 1970’s when Pune was known as the “Cycle Capital of India”.

In theory – it is possible to ride a bicycle even today in the city of Pune – especially on BRTS Roads – which have dedicated “Cycle Tracks”.

But – in practice – it is not feasible to commute on cycles in Pune – since the cycle tracks are encroached upon/damaged and are unfit for cycling (even the pedestrian lanes are encroached and are unfit for walking).

Of course – cycling on roads had become dangerous due to the heavy, chaotic and indisciplined traffic.

But – this was not so in the Pune of Yesteryear – when – the bicycle was the primary mode of transportation – and – we enjoyed cycling all over – and – Pune was indeed a “Cycle Town”.

Let me share some memories of those carefree days of cycling.

I am sure you will enjoy these reminiscences – and maybe – this will tempt you to hark back to your good old days and memories of your hometown too.

Please do let me know if you liked this article and comment – I look forward to your feedback.

A PUNEKAR “CYCLES” DOWN MEMORY LANE

CYCLE TOWN PUNE – A Memoir by VIKRAM KARVE

When I was a small boy (in the 1960’s) – and later in the 1970’s – we used to cycle all over Pune.

Pune was a “Cycle-Town”.

In the 1960’s – Poona (as Pune was called then) – was known as the “Cycle Capital” of India – since Pune had the maximum number of cycles.

But – with the advent and proliferation of scooters – this honour of “Cycle Capital” was taken over by Delhi – and Pune became the “Scooter Capital” of India.

Let’s hark back to the 1960’s – and talk about “Cycle Town Pune”

Those days 90% of the vehicles on the roads were Bicycles.

A few Scooters could be seen zipping by – and occasionally – an Ambassador or Fiat Car would appear on the roads.

Auto-rickshaws were beginning to make their appearance – and the PMT Bus was the second-most popular mode of transportation after the bicycle.

If you do not believe me – you just watch the scene from the iconic Hindi Movie Sangam (1964) – where Raj Kapoor can be seen merrily cycling down Jangli Maharaj (JM) Road Pune (then known as “80 Feet Road” – the widest road in Pune those days).

As I said – in those days – Pune was a “cycle town”.

You just picked up your bicycle – and you went wherever you wanted to.

Today – I dare not try to cycle on the roads of Pune – unless I want to land up in a hospital with my bones broken – or worse still – in the morgue – with my body crushed to pulp.

There is just no place for the poor cyclist to cycle in the murderous traffic of Pune.

In fact – in Pune – the only place you can cycle are on the cycle-lanes on those small stretches of the BRTS routes – which thankfully have still not been encroached upon (of course – even here – you risk being knocked down by a motorcyclist) – or you can pedal away on those obscure cycle-tracks which take you nowhere.

Those days – in the 1960’s and 1970’s – cycling was the primary means of transportation

(I cycled a minimum of 20 kms everyday during my college days. This has given me strong legs and thighs)

Nowadays – for most young Punekars – cycling is a hobby – a sport – a recreation – a “passion” – or – an “environment friendly” thing to do.

Those days – in the 1960’s and 1970’s – cycling was the primary means of transportation.

That’s why today you have all types of fancy bikes (which cost the roof) – and snobbish people want to show off their cycles as “status symbols” whenever they get off their expensive limousines and take a rare bike ride wearing funny outfits and contraptions like gloves, helmets et al.

There are Terrain Bikes, Sports Bikes, BMX Bikes, Racing Bikes – all sorts of hybrid combinations – which look good – but are most uncomfortable to ride.

Sometime ago – I took a long ride on a youngster’s fancy Mountain Terrain Bike (MTB)

Since I was used to normal cycles (Roadsters) – I found the MTB uncomfortable to ride.

And – after the ride –I got such a pain in my “you-know-where” – that I thought I had got Hernia.

In my younger days – it was not “Snob Appeal” – but it was “Utility Value” that governed the Design of Bicycles.

The predominant cycle those days was the “Roadster” (in bicycle parlance).

The Roadster was a utility bicycle designed for practical transportation – unlike the fancy bikes of today which are primarily designed for recreation and for showing-off.

The “Roadster” Bicycle was designed for “Occupational Commuting” – and it was designed to give you a comfortable ride.

As I said earlier – those days – you did not ride a bike to burn calories.

A cycle was the primary means of transportation – and you commuted from one place to another on a cycle.

Of course – fitness was a by-product.

In my college days – I used to cycle about 20 Kilometres every day – breathing fresh unpolluted air – and this was healthy exercise.

We cycled in our normal clothes – and not in “biking wear” – and that’s why the Roadster Design Bicycle had proper mudguards and chain guards to keep it clean.

In addition to comfort – the qualities we looked for in a cycle were sturdiness, durability and endurance.

A cycle was a permanent long term acquisition – not a “use and throw” item.

Well – if you go to Bicycle Shop today – you may not find the humble “Roadster” displayed along with those fancy fashionable bikes.

In fact – there is a proliferation of high-falutin Cycle Malls in Pune selling all sorts of fancy and expensive bicycles.

But if you look on the roads – you will see that the redoubtable Roadster is still going strong.

And – if you care to go to the mofussil – you will see that this humble Roadster Cycle is still the predominant mode of transportation.

And – if you go to those good old cycle marts in Budhwar Peth in Pune – you will see that these unpretentious Roadster bikes are still selling in plenty.

When we were children – there were no “kiddie” or “children’s” bikes to pamper us.

We learnt how to cycle the hard way on the hardy Adult Roadster Bikes – which entailed many falls and bruises – including one on my forehead – the scar of which is prominently visible even today.

I learnt how to cycle when I was 7 years old.

But – I got my first cycle in 1968 – on my 12^th Birthday.

Until then – I used to hire a bike on an hourly basis from one of the many “Cycle Marts” that adorned almost every street corner of Pune – or manage a ride my uncle’s cycle whenever he was not using it.

The moment it was announced that I would be getting a bike as a birthday gift – I was very excited.

My friends and I started our market survey.

Which cycle did I want...?

There were so many brands to choose from.

At the top end was the matchless Humber – the prized crème de la crème brand from Raleigh Cycles.

The Humber Men’s Roadster had a unique double-fork – a duplex fork design which had two tubes for absorbing shocks better – and a frictionless chain for a smooth ride.

Owing to all these refinements – the Humber Cycle gave you the ultimate in riding comfort.

Now my Dad had given me a budget of Rs. 200 – and the Humber which cost around 400 bucks was out of the question – as were other premium brands of cycles like Raleigh, Rudge, Buke and BSA.

So – I had to choose from Hercules, Phillips, Hind Superb, Hero, Eastern Star, Avon or Atlas – which were the popular bicycle brands those days.

At first – I wanted to buy a Phillips Cycle which looked very handsome.

Every Phillips Roadster bicycle had embossed on its badge its famous motto:

“Renowned the World Over”.

But – the cycle dealer insisted that I try the latest model of Atlas (which he claimed was sturdy and comfortable – and it had the best bearings – and the cycle was long lasting, economical and ideal for a student like me).

So I took a “test ride” – and I acquired an Atlas Cycle for the princely sum of One Hundred and Eighty Rupees (yes – Rs. 180 only).

I fitted my bike with a dynamo and light (for night riding) – a bell – a carrier – and a sleek stand – and a basket.

As I rode my brand new shining black Atlas cycle – I felt on top of the world.

Here is a picture of me and my large size 24” Atlas Cycle taken 52 years ago in 1968 (when I was barely 12 years old)

Vikram Karve with his Atlas Cycle (Circa 1968)

This Atlas Cycle rendered yeoman’s service.

(Dear Reader: Remember – I told you that I said I cycled about 20 kilometers every day).

My bicycle accompanied me all over on my cycling trips – including one touring UP and Bihar – where we just carried our cycles in the second class train compartment – and we got down wherever we wanted – and cycled away for our sightseeing – and caught a train again at the nearest station.

No one dared to ask any questions – because we were “students”.

I used my rugged Atlas Cycle for over 15 years – and it was still going strong – when I gave it away to a needy student.

(I was happy to see that this redoubtable bike was fully operational when I last saw it in the year 1998 – when the cycle was 30 years old).

Soon – I bought a brand new Hero Roadster Cycle for around three hundred bucks (Rs. 300 only) – which I used for cycling all around town – whenever I came to Pune on my weekend trips or holidays from Mumbai – where my ship was based.

Though I had acquired a scooter by then – which I used for “family” outings – I still rode my bike for my solitary travels in Pune.

Alas – my newly acquired wife refused to ride “double-seat” with me on my cycle – à la Dev Anand and Mumtaz in the movie Tere Mere Sapne – though my wife had been an avid cyclist and she rode a Ladies Cycle herself in college.

By the way – riding double-seat – and without a light at night – were traffic offences.

If a cop caught you without a light at night – or riding double-seat on your bike – he would deflate your tyres as punishment – and you would have to walk all the way dragging your cycle along.

For parking your cycle – there was cycle-stands all over – in cinemas – at railway stations – in parks – everywhere.

Till the 1980’s – in Pune – the bicycle was still the most popular mode of transportation – since – in Pune – distances were not that much – and – the traffic was not that heavy.

But gradually – scooters were slowly taking over – as people were increasingly in a hurry to get wherever they wanted to go.

I quit cycling in Pune sometime in the end 1980’s – because cycling had become increasingly unsafe.

The traffic situation in Pune had become quite bad.

Heavy vehicles, buses, cars and scooters ruled the roost.

And after a few close shaves in the dangerous traffic – I decided to stop cycling on the streets of Pune.

Cycling keeps you healthy.

Cycling also keeps you stress-free.

Those days – as I cycled to college or work – the physical effort while cycling helped remove my stress – unlike driving a car or scooter in the chaotic traffic of Pune – which drives you crazy.

Almost everyone cycled to school and college – and – to work and back – all the way from the heart of Pune City – even to far-off places like the factories in Khadki and beyond.

Cycling was a healthy affordable way of commuting.

Yes – cycling was primarily a means of travel – and not a competitive sport or a means of working out for exercise as it is now.

Of course – exercise was a byproduct of cycling.

I have decided to relive those good old days.

So I am going to get myself a cycle – not a fancy bike – but an a old-style standard roadster bike – maybe I will try out the good old tried and tested Hercules Roadster Cycle this time.

The only problem is that I will have to find a safe road to cycle on – which is nigh impossible in Pune – or a Cycle Track on the side of a BRTS Road.

(BRTS = Bus Rapid Transit System)

I eagerly await the removal of encroachments on the Cycle Tracks on the BRTS in Wakad – so all of us can cycle down the bicycle track – as people do on the BRTS route on Satara Road near Padmavati/Bibwewadi.

I wonder how safe it is to cycle in other cities – and whether unencroached clear good cycle tracks are available for speedy and safe cycling...?

If the Government is really keen on promoting cycling – Top Ministers/Politicians and Senior Officers should lead by example and cycle to work every day instead of commuting in cars.

Schools must insist that Children Cycle to School on bicycles instead of travelling by Bus.

Organisations must encourage their Employees (especially Senior Management) to use a bicycle to cycle to work instead of using vehicles.

We see some VIPs/Celebrities merely paying “Lip Service” (for “Photo Ops”) once a year on World Bicycle Day and then using luxurious cars to commute to work throughout the year.

As they say: Actions Speak Louder than Words.

Politicians/VIPs/Celebrities/Officers and the “Rich and Famous” must start cycling to work to set an example and motivate the younger generation to cycle instead of using cars/motorcycles/scooters etc.

In the mornings and in the evenings – I watch the serpentine traffic moving at snail’s pace on the Wakad Hinjewadi Road towards the InfoTech Park.

I wonder how different things would have been if everyone rode bicycles to work like in yesteryear Pune.

We would have a more healthy, unpolluted and stress-free Pune.

Happy Cycling.

VIKRAM KARVE

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All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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