[akshay380]

Someone shared this in my cycling group. Posting here.

Cycle wins the race, News - City - Bangalore Mirror,Bangalore Mirror

The cyclist is wearing a helmet while the guy on Pulsar isnt

[zenx]

Just reaffirms what us bikers have always known

[superutp]

The pulsar's fuel tank requires more protection than the bikers head (quite understandable in the current petrol prices scenarios). Please check out the link to refer to what I am talking about.

On a serious note, my opinion is that this kind of test is pretty pointless. It just for the sake of promoting cycling (perhaps!) and maybe criticizing bangalore's appalling traffic conditions.

Maybe TG should have done this when they were in India instead of the 'improving diplomacy gibberish'.

[deetjohn]

Oh! this is a challenge, TG style.

Too bad Mr. Manjunath is not wearing the helmet.

And with the way traffic is, I am sure someone with good stamina for a marathon will beat the biker as well.

[suhaas307]

Somehow, I don't believe it.

I'm sure the motorbike would have won, if he had ridden like a true Bangalorean

I personally know people who can achieve sub-one-hour times while covering a distance of 30 km on a bike (although, I'd like to say, I'm not really proud of that ) But if the intention is to promote cycling, they couldn't have done much better, in the context of Bangalore traffic and taking into consideration, the priorities of people.

[akshay380]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

I'm sure the motorbike would have won, if he had ridden like a true Bangalorean

I think he rode like a true bangy guy. Without a helmet and riding in right most lane.

[bblost]

IN Hyderabad, I commute a distance of approx 10 kms.

Bike Takes: 15-20 minutes.
Car and Cycle take anywhere between 25 to 35 minutes. With 30 mins being the standard on both.

This is during the 10 AM onward and 4 PM return trips.

[zenx]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

Somehow, I don't believe it.

I'm sure the motorbike would have won, if he had ridden like a true Bangalorean

I ride pretty much like a "true Bangalorean" though politely, and am reasonably fast through traffic. Yet, for most in-city traffic, the cycle's way quicker (and i'm not the fastest or youngest rider around). not true for all routes - especially those with long ORR(pre-construction)/Hosur Rd kind of stretches, but even then, in traffic, comes close. (Ecity- Koramangala 32 mins on an MTB).

And the point being made was about the existence of a very feasible, practical, healthier, cheaper alternative to fuel-powered transportation that many do not consider an option right now. Look at it in that light without getting into arguments about whether it was an ideal test etc.

// The motorbiker might have just taken off the helmet for the pic, not for the ride. Only guessing.

[bblost]

Originally Posted by zenx

And the point being made was about the existence of a very feasible, practical, healthier, cheaper alternative to fuel-powered transportation that many do not consider an option right now. Look at it in that light without getting into arguments about whether it was an ideal test etc.

This sums up in totality why I cycle to office.

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by akshay380

I think he rode like a true bangy guy. Without a helmet and riding in right most lane.

Originally Posted by zenx

I ride pretty much like a "true Bangalorean" though politely, and am reasonably fast through traffic. Yet, for most in-city traffic, the cycle's way quicker (and i'm not the fastest or youngest rider around). not true for all routes - especially those with long ORR(pre-construction)/Hosur Rd kind of stretches, but even then, in traffic, comes close. (Ecity- Koramangala 32 mins on an MTB).

See, you ride politely. That isn't a Bangalorean's style

The last time I saw a polite biker was umm.. never!

I'm almost certain the motorbike would have reached its destination well under 1-hour, if he had, and I will repeat myself, ridden like a true Bangalorean i.e. cutting people off, dismounting at signals and walking to the other side, attempting to jump red-lights, riding on top of pavements, etc.

I'm guessing this guy did not do any of that. He rode sedately, and was probably instructed to do so, in order to promote the alternative proposition: riding a cycle.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Just that, it's a bit 'staged'

Originally Posted by zenx

And the point being made was about the existence of a very feasible, practical, healthier, cheaper alternative to fuel-powered transportation that many do not consider an option right now. Look at it in that light without getting into arguments about whether it was an ideal test etc.

And that's what I'd said earlier too, albeit, in a subtle manner.

[mjothi]

Have to agree.

For me, it takes more time in car than my cycle. Several times, I have seen cars overtaking me to only wait in the next jam

[rajeev k]

The thread came when I have started to think of going in for a cycle.
This points to have cycle paths in all cities just like in some European cities. It will ba an energy conserving and energy spending alternate; save fuel and instead spend personal energy to get rid of body fat.

[ghodlur]

This is fast becoming a reality now. Cyclists have an edge that they can squeeze themselves in places where a biker or a car owner would not dare to.
What the cyclist gained in time, he lost in getting more exposed to traffic risk, heavy pollution. He can be seen riding very close to the trucks and in midst of spew of dust. The Biker gains almost nothing whereas the metro rider atleast gains in the losses of the cyclist. IMO its better to ride in a Metro/Bus, time is lost but lots is gained.

[akshay380]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

See, you ride politely. That isn't a Bangalorean's style

The last time I saw a polite biker was umm.. never!

I'm almost certain the motorbike would have reached its destination well under 1-hour, if he had, and I will repeat myself, ridden like a true Bangalorean i.e. cutting people off, dismounting at signals and walking to the other side, attempting to jump red-lights, riding on top of pavements, etc.

I'm guessing this guy did not do any of that. He rode sedately, and was probably instructed to do so, in order to promote the alternative proposition: riding a cycle.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Just that, it's a bit 'staged'



And that's what I'd said earlier too, albeit, in a subtle manner.

Suhaas, Not really. Especially if you are commuting inside city and not using comparatively wider roads like ORR/OMR etc. Cycles are much faster.

You can refer this BikesZone - Cycling • View topic - Time to inspire each other - Biking to Work Stats for real life experiences. Of course there are few exceptions as well

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by akshay380

Suhaas, Not really. Especially if you are commuting inside city and not using comparatively wider roads like ORR/OMR etc. Cycles are much faster.

You can refer this BikesZone - Cycling • View topic - Time to inspire each other - Biking to Work Stats for real life experiences. Of course there are few exceptions as well

I'm going to take your word for it, Akshay!

After all, if I don't trust you, I'd be pretty stupid.