Everything has its own cost, so did Pune paid, for its growth. From pensioners paradise to paradise lost; from city of bicycle to city of motorcycle, Pune kept changing its identity with industrial & IT development.
Back in the late nineties, a health & environment friendly group of visionary Puneties formed a group “Pune Cycle Prathisthan” to promote cycling and regain its lost identity. Started with 15 - 20 people; this group has now over 3000 members. On 5th June 2010, Pune’s Pedal Power had organised a cycle ride to celebrate world environment day and over 1200 people turned up for it. It’s a strong evident of growing passion among Puneites for cycling. Especially in the last few months (After opening of Life Cycle, India’s largest cycle mall) cycling has become a movement in Pune.
This inside story is an attempt to salute the passionate cyclists, who are pursuing rides which are in real sense healthy, adventurous as well as environment friendly. Our pre-investigation finds that Mr. Nachiket Joshi (of Life cycle and Zen of cycling, a cyclists group) is one of the main contributors who are helping achieve Pune its lost identity of ‘City of Bicycles’; and for this reason we contacted him for more inside scoop on the same. This inside story is based on the conversation of D2I-Mag team with him.
Young, energetic and dynamic entrepreneur Nachiket is a passionate cyclist. This passion is in his blood, his father Mr. Ulhas joshi (he is founder of Life cycle) is a big time cyclist and has organised & participated in numerous cycling ride in India and abroad and go to Himalaya on cycle ride almost every year. Nachiket’s interest in cycling goes back to his childhood, but like many other youngsters his first love too was motor-bike. In 2007, he was in a group of four riders who went to Goa from Pune on Bike (for biking adventure) and unfortunately they met with an accident. With no major physical damage, it was a close shave for him. His father Ulhas said – “If you really want to enjoy riding adventure, try a ride with us”. Ulhas along with Dr. Dilip Dhawan had formed “Cycle Premi Group” in 2006 which Nachiket join. Started with 2 members, the group has now grown to over 1400 members and is known as Zen of cycling (to know more about it, visit www.zenofcycling.com). In 2010 only over 700 people joined it.
Turning Point
In Early 2008, cycle Premi group had organised a Konkan cycle ride, and around 60 people participated, most of them were first timers and coming from the IT sector. This event got huge mouth to mouth publicity over the mail, social networking sites and blogs. Nachiket realised the power of IT; with this media he can effectively promote the message of cycling and its event to the masses. And from then onwards Zen of cycling is organising frequent cycle rides and with effective promotion of events more and more people are joining.
Frequent rides
Zen of cycle organises cycle ride almost every week. On first Sunday of every month a cycle ride from Deccan gymkhana to city area, aims to convey the message to the PMC that cyclist exist and they need a dedicated road for them. A special ride on third Sunday of every month is normally a long distance (40 – 60 KM) ride around Pune. It also organises many similar rides and practice rides for Himalaya or tough expeditions. Breakfast, support vehicle and thing for all the safety measures are provided by members only. If you have never been to any such ride, then one must attend one, it is highly recommended by Doors2India.
Many Groups one destination
Ride 2026, Pedal Power, NIBM Cycle Group, Zen of cycling, etc; when we asked why so many cycle groups. Nachiket explains (with a gentle smile, which he always posses) actually there is only one group “Pune cycle Prathisthan (PCP)” and all these group are part of it. We can say sub group of main organisation to promote and organise cycling ride in a particular region. Like NIBM cycle group is active in Kondarwa, Hadapsar area, Zen of cycling is active in Peth, Swardate, Kothrud, Katraj area, Ride 2026 in Aundh area and so on. There are many more groups of 4-5 people, who enjoy their cycling in their group but all are under PCP, and actively participated in PCP events. It’s like there may be many religions, with their own set of rules, but all are in union with God. Here too there are many cycling group and all are part of the PCP only.
Life cycle
On 26th January 2010, Life cycle (India’s largest cycle mall) opened its first mall at Tilak road, Pune. With over 6000 sq. foot of area, it sells imported cycle and cycling gears of all major brands. It has cycles of ranges start from INR 6,500 to 5.5 lakhs. From common man, to politicians to Bollywood stars; cycling lover from all sector are its client. Life cycle does numerous things to promote cycling along with many social activities. Keep following inside story segment of Doors2India, we are very soon going to Publish a dedicated inside story of Life Cycle.
Cycling movement after life cycle
Life cycle sells around 150 cycles a month which in turn is actually addition of 150 more cycling enthusiasts. He promotes the upcoming events among them, and most of them turn up for the ride; after all cycling is probably only ride which is healthy, adventurous and environmental friendly too. Since Life Cycle’s inception, it has become the main catalyst for increase in the cycling activity in and around Pune. With frequent events, region wise small group, availability of world class cycle & required gears/equipment, along with workshops and free consultation; the whole cycling movement in Pune is break free now. And once again Pune may soon be known as City of Bicycles.
“This blog was originally published in blog.d2i.in as inside story of Zen of Cycling; republishing here with permission from D2i team”
1 comment:
cycle weren't costly when there were only 15-20 people ... now the India's biggest cycle mall, sells them at a price of 25000 and more :(
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