Get your bums on the saddle!!

I know I shouldn't be preaching this as I am not good at following it, thanks to my mind (it has this little inertia which opposes and combats any move/change that tends to disrupt my rhythm of daily conventional activities). But, I just came across this cool idea of commuting in Bangalore, shared in the Ignite Bangalore event and couldn't help passing it on to the readers.

Yeah! I am talking about "Bicyling in Bangalore" or rather "Biking in Bangalore" (if that would convince you ;)) With the growing pollution, crowd, commotion and fuel costs at its worst-best in Bangalore, this seems to be a perfectly feasible and last probable resort left for the people. I understand that , the elite-few who are already into this movement (an accidental pun??) or those newbies who are getting inspired, are susceptible to some cranky talks around. Facing the traffic one fine morning in a tiny bicycle with a constipated face madeup to look cool while you are actually getting stresssed out pedalling hard is disgusting indeed. It takes nerves and ***** to do something that invites a dozen souls to giggle at you. Perhaps, there would be a saturation limit when the roads can no longer hold automobiles anymore, when the traffic real-estate will become immensely precious and ways to optimize it will be talked of, a web of flyovers spanning the entire 3-D space would have been built and that's when the city might think of conversion to this mode of transport. This is certainly a great idea atleast for those who are willing to take it up. I have myself known a friend of mine, who bicycles through the city.

Why Bangalore makes it easy?
- Great weather all around the year
- Good wide pavements along most roads and there's a talk of cycling lanes too
- Prospects of social networking on the way is high in the city ;)

Positives
- Healthier - exercise built into your commute - the treadmills were inspired by bicycles, now it's time you revert back :)
- Fuel efficient (unaffected by lorry strikes and market)
- Often quicker (average speed) than cars/autos (this you 'll best realize when you drive short distances monitored by multiple junctions and during peak hours)
- Physically and mentally reduces the feel of congestion
- Reduced (rather nil) carbon footprint
- Talk to people on the route and build friends ;)

So, guys! get your bums on the saddle..


Links:
Bangalore Biker's Club
Blog@BumsOnTheSaddleDotCom

LakhTakia gets a rapturous welcome !

Keeping up his promise made 4 yrs ago to deliver a "people's car", Ratan Tata unveiled this Rs 1 Lakh car christened Nano, that's being nick-named "LakhTakia" because of its "One Lakh Price Tag".

Nano comes with a Rear mounted all aluminium 2-cylinder 623cc petrol engine, promising a mileage of 20 km/litre and surprisingly meets all emission/safety standards. Though it is 8% smaller than the revolutionary Maruti-800, it is claimed to be 21% more spacious from inside. Initially, the car will have 3 variants, a Standard Model costing 1 Lakh & 2 luxury(deluxe) ones that would be slightly costlier than its standard counterpart. More variants would be gradually introduced, including one with a Diesel engine.

Technologically speaking, Nano has staged a milestone for not just Indian automobile industry but even the Global auto sector by providing the cheapest conveyance for just $2500, whereas in US the cheapest car comes in a price range of $10,000 - $15,000.

Key Features of TATA Nano:
* Smaller than Maruti 800 in length, more spacious inside.




* Dealer price of Nano - Rs 1 lakh,VAT and transporation cost extra.

* Nano meets emission norms : Bharat III and Euro 4. In safety norms, Nano is equipped with crumple zones, intrusion resistant doors, seat belts, strong seat anchorages & has passed the full frontal crash test.

* Minimal instruments (speedometer, fuel guage & oil light), single windshield wiper.
* Front luggage compartment that holds a battery, windshield washer container and enough space for a SINGLE SUITCASE.
* No radio, air conditioning, power steering or power windows available in the Standard Model.

However, there's leading concern among the Environmentalists that on gaining victory, Nano might clog the Indian roads & add up to the already soaring pollution levels.

Whether Nano makes its mark in the auto-industry & wins the hearts of the Indian population or goes down as another sober design model remains to see !!