Speed breakers are the trademark or signature dish of Namma Bengaluru. You will find humps of all mathematical and geological varieties in the city.

BHPian venkyhere recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Rants of a car commuter in Bangalore:

As a gentleman, you maintain distance from the rear of the vehicle ahead, not for paying obeisance to the motor vehicle act but to use him as a pothole-alert decoy. But the uber-cab / auto beside you thinks "who is this moron" and squeezes in front of you. And as you gently press your brakes to restore your vision of the tyres of your brand new decoy, BHAAAMM... your suspension just exploded with expletives that trace back through several generations of your lineage. You are filled with pity for your struts and strut mounts, but rage for the moron who did this to you. You pass on the lineage questioning expletives via brain telemetry to the guy who just did the equivalent of the middle-finger salute that Venkatesh Prasad gave Aamir Sohail.

Speaking of middle fingers, the road infrastructure of Bangalore is, in summary, BBMP showing the middle finger to you - yes, we will take the highest registration tax in the country, and give you a multi-course cuisine in return. What..what? , you may ask.

This:

• Pothole type A - torrential (strike that) 30 minutes of rain-induced multilayer-concentric-rings-birthday cake pothole: looks like the drone shot of an iron-ore mine.
• Pothole type B - sinkhole style base-erosion driven geological anomaly. Underneath the tar, the road contractor put biscuit wrappers instead of crushed stones. Poor chap must have been left with a meagre 1 trillion dollars, after picking up a contract worth 20 trillion, because the bribe-network payoffs ate away 19 of those, for a 5km road laying contract.
• Pothole type C - unfinished business. Cauvery water pipe laying, airtel fibre-optic cable laying, Natural gas pipe laying, I-like-digging-so-im-laying-some-leftover-PVC-pipes-from-the-next-hardware-store pipe laying; all artfully done. 4-5 layers of surface excavated, and 1 layer of mud added after the pipes are in. Job done - a giant portal to "paatal lok". If you notice carefully, the depression is not exactly longitudinal or transverse to the direction of travel of vehicles. If longitudinal, the size of the depression is widest, where the road is naturally narrowest. If transverse, it's always diagonal, to ensure each wheel feels an independent jolt, instead of having a partner wheel to share if it were anywhere close to being 'roughly straight across'. Genius craftsmanship, I say.
• Protrusion type A - manholes. The word 'hole' is a misnomer here because the size of the manhole cover is the size of the dish antennas at space observatories. And they are specifically designed such that there are sharp edges (yes, sharp edges on something that is shaped like a circle, go figure) on the 'concrete platform' on which the manhole cover sits. Yes, concrete is stronger than that used for home/apartment construction in Bangalore city (which, if you notice, cause buildings to collapse like a house of cards). No, no, manhole covers must be made from titanium grade concrete, and not from the variety used by building contractors.
• Protrusion type B - pizza toppings. Yes, even the biggest, costliest, all-in, cheese overloaded, heart attack ready pizza from the swankiest fake-Italian eatery in Bangalore, won't match up to the sheer density of toppings delivered by the 'patch work' contractor, on those roads which are 'repaired' after lots of public unrest and candle marches and paying obeisance at the lotus feet of the corporation ward member of that area. These pizza topping roads are equally feisty as the potholes, in extracting expletive-laden curses from your suspension.
• Protrusion type C - humps. The trademark, ISI mark, Agmark, the signature dish of Namma Bengaluru. Inverse dome, inverse semi-dome, inverse parabola, inverse trapezoidal ramp, grand canyon walls, Karakoram mountain range - you will find humps of all mathematical and geological varieties. Sometimes, it goes beyond math and geology, into the realm of a military level surgical strike: where, after your wheels have climbed over mount Kilimanjaro, they immediately land in the Mariana trench. The hump-followed-immediately-by-pothole jugalbandhi. The stuff of engineering genius, ensuring that even if you drive a monster truck, you suffer an underbody hit nevertheless.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The new rule applies to both 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers and can attract a fine of Rs. 1,000.

Last week, the Bangalore Police announced a new rule banning the use of Bluetooth devices or earphones.

The new rule applies to both 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers and can attract a fine of Rs. 1,000. Listening to music or attending a call using Bluetooth while driving a car will also be illegal. However, the police have clarified that using Google Maps will be permitted if there's a phone holder installed.

The 2-wheeler helmet manufacturers association has opposed Bangalore police's move to penalise those using Bluetooth devices while riding or driving. It stated that hands-free technology is used widely all over the world and is a much safer alternative to a hand-held device.

Bluetooth devices have gained popularity in recent times and is widely used by riders to listen to music, answer a call or get directions. The technology comes integrated into most new vehicles, cars and bikes alike.

However, am a fairly new driver with no experience driving on hilly roads, sharp hairpin bends, narrow roads with cliff on one side, ghat sections etc. As confident as I can be with my skills and my car, driving there without an experienced driver alongside would be ill advised.

BHPian sen2693 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Me and my wife have decided to take a short trip in this 3 day weekend. However, am a fairly new driver with no experience driving on hilly roads, sharp hairpin bends, narrow roads with cliff on one side, ghat sections etc. As confident as I can be with my skills and my car, driving there without an experienced driver alongside would be ill advised.

Hence, am looking for suggestions around Bangalore where driving on hills would not be a requirement - which seem hard to come by if I look around in the internet. Mysore is one suggestion but it is more of a city atmosphere which I am not interested in.

One place I am considering is Sakleshpur. But from Youtube road trip videos, and all I am not able to confirm if that is a hill station or not. If it is a small climb then I think I should be fine.

Also, any opinions with regards to safety? Is it safe to travel on such roads as a couple?

I will be driving a Rapid. I was hoping a sedan would provide better driving dynamics around corners, although can't deny the low seating position disadvantage.

Suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

Here's what BHPian speedmiester had to say on the matter:

Sakleshpur is not a proper hill station though the weather is very pleasant out there. Roads are in good condition for most part, except for the one under construction section between Hassan and Sakleshpur. You won't find many road sections with steep climbs and drops on the sides.

Here's what BHPian Rajeevraj had to say on the matter:

Chikmagalur is an option. Although it is called out as a hill station, you don't need to climb up to it as the main town and surrounding areas are not at a significant elevation compared to Bangalore and is a fairly easy drive. Sakleshpur is similar but from memory, Chikmagalur maybe an easier drive. If you intend to go sight seeing, then of course it involves hill driving.

You can also go to the Bandipur, Mudumalai, Masinagudi, Kabini areas. Will be fairly easy drives and do not involve any hill driving.

Half of Bangalore will be headed out to these areas most weekends. So you do not need to worry about safety on the road. But do understand the covid protocols at your destination and adhere to the same.

Here's what BHPian androdev had to say on the matter:

To be honest, most holiday places off Bangalore have regular roads unless you go seeking out proper hill stations. Coorg, Bandipur, Chikmagalur, Sakleshpur etc. have pretty good highway-like roads. Even if you go deeper into ghats, you just have narrow roads that require you to be alert about oncoming traffic. The scary hairpin bends roads are relatively rare.

In a modern car like Rapid, you don't have to fear hairpin bends etc. You are not driving a Tata Sumo. As long as you don't get aggressive about overtaking, you will do just fine. Review Google maps route for hairpin bends etc. Yellow colour roads in the map are perfectly safe. White colour roads with hairpin bends can be avoided if you want to be extra cautious. Govt has done a great job of making such roads safe. They are slow and require extra caution but do not require any fancy skills. Avoid night time driving and peak holiday periods. It's the overconfidence that causes most accidents.

Or you can try going towards pondicherry, hampi, etc.

Here's what BHPian Kosfactor had to say on the matter:

Mysore is a good place to start with, its not too far and hotels are plenty with good approach roads. Mysore is a very pleasant city to visit places around it, not crowded these days, weather is good too.

You could wake up early morning from your Hotel in Mysore and go for a drive through Bandipur forest \ Nagarahole \ Gopalswamy betta etc

Its not just the hill roads that gets you, often the approach road to homestays and resorts are in very bad shape. You may reach the hill station on time, but to reach the place of stay can take an hour or two in some cases.

Start early, drive slowly and ofcourse, call places ahead to check if they are open due to weekend lockdowns in certain cities and towns bordering KL.

Here's what BHPian Dr.AD had to say on the matter:

Be very careful and cautious, but as long as you know the basics of good driving and have some driving experience, hill driving is nothing extraordinary. In fact, the best way to learn that is just by driving. I learnt my hill driving by just taking out my car on a solo drive and slowly but carefully exploring the hills and mountains. You do not have to be fast or aggressive. Just be slow and careful, take your time, and drive well.

Besides, flat four lane highways are not automatically safer for a new driver. Plenty of driving mistakes happen by new drivers (I see it all the time in my highway drives) on flat highways too and due to the fast speeds there, those mistakes can be very dangerous. Slow hilly drives are maybe safer than fast highway drives for new drivers.

Of course, this is just my point of view and you are the best judge of your driving skills. So please take the safe and right decision as per your own thoughts.

Places like Chikmagalur have only some mild hills. There are no sharp cliffs or anything like that there. They should be pretty easy and safe to drive even for new drivers.

However, if you strictly want to avoid the hills, then Hampi is one destination. It is flat and wide roads all the way from Bangalore to Hampi, with no hills whatsoever anywhere.

Again, be very careful and drive well whether you go on hills or flat roads. Roads to Hampi are flat and wide, but speeds are usually high so do not let your guard down just because it is not hills.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Named as Tesla India Motors and Energy Private Limited, the registered address is located in Bangalore.

Tesla has now incorporated in India. Named as Tesla India Motors and Energy Private Limited, the registered address is located in Bangalore.

The directors of the company are Vaibhav Taneja - Chief Accounting Officer, Venkatrangam Sreeram - a Bengaluru-based start-up entrepreneur and David Feinstein - Global Senior Director of Tesla. Karnataka Chief Minister also tweeted that Tesla would start its India operations with an R&D Centre based in Bengaluru.

Last month, we had reported that Tesla could launch the Model 3 in India by the end of the first quarter of FY2021-22. In the international markets, the car was launched back in 2017.

In India, the Model 3 is likely to be introduced as a completely built unit (CBU) and could be imported from China's Gigafactory. The Tesla Model 3 has a range of 354-523 km depending on the variant and a 0-97 km/h time between 3.1-5.6 seconds. The car is offered in single and dual motor configurations.

MotoFarm is a purpose built dirt racing circuit near Bangalore, offering a mix of motocross, enduro and flat tracking formats.

MotoFarm is located at Venkatarayanadoddi, near Kabalamma temple, Kanakapura, Karnataka - 562138. The track features wide long sweeping corners, tight, twisty and banked sections as well as jumps. The track surface varies from hard packed to clay to loose soil. Other track features include table-top jumps, a rhythm section, single and double jump and a big finishing jump.

The facility also has a practice track. There are track marshals all around the course. They are trained in emergency resuscitation and first aid. Besides, there are on-site paramedic and trained medics as well.

MotoFarm offers bikes ranging from 150cc - 250cc for rent. They charge Rs. 2,999 to rent a Hero XPulse for half a day. The cost includes fuel and riding gear. Track rent varies from Rs. 999 for Flat & Enduro, Rs. 2,499 for Moto Cross and Rs. 6,999 for Train Day.

Click here For bookings and pricing

Thanks to BHPian vishwasvr for sharing this with other enthusiasts!

According to a media report, sales of cycles have gone up in Bangalore.

It is said that enquires for cycles have gone up by 60% compared to pre-lockdown days. 50% of the enquiries are reported to have been converted to sales.

A cycle store typically stocks cycles ranging from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 80,000. However, replenishing stocks sold could be an issue as there have been no shipment of cycles for the past 3 months.

Most customers pick up entry-level bicycles as they want to get into cycling for exercise after sitting at home during the lockdown. The trend has been picking up as gyms and swimming pools are closed and as commuters are trying to avoid using public transport.

According to a media report, Bangalore is the most congested city in the world in terms of traffic. The city came first among 425 cities across 57 countries according to a report by TomTom.

Drivers in the city can expect spend an additional 71% of their time stuck in traffic. In 2019, commuters spent on an average, 243 hours in traffic, while driving in peak hours. The highest congestion (103%) was reported on August 20, 2019.

Bangalore-ites spent up to 5 hours a year extra for a 30-minute commute when they left their offices on Friday between 7-8 pm, which were the worst rush hours for the city.

Indian cities like Mumbai, Pune and New Delhi featured in the fourth, fifth and eighth position respectively. Between 2018 to 2019, congestion increased in over 239 cities, while only 63 cities had a small decline in traffic congestion among the cities surveyed.

Source

Wheels Wisdom has launched Litmus - a used car inspection service in Bangalore. The company plans to offer the service in other cities like Hyderabad and Kochi soon.

The inspection service is offered only on cars less than 7 years old and run less than 50,000 km. It costs around Rs. 1,500 and Rs. 2,000 (plus taxes) per car. A Wheels Wisdom Technical Advisor will inspect the car with a 200-point checklist. The inspection is expected to take 60 to 90 minutes and the report is shared with the buyer.

If the engine and gearbox are found to be in good condition, buyers can also buy a warranty for the engine (including ECU) and gearbox, which is valid for one year. The warranty is expected to cost approximately Rs. 10,000 (plus taxes), depending on the car. Buyers can also pre-book the warranty. Those who pre-book will also get two free inspections.

Bangalore City Police has launched an all-women motorcycle brigade - We for Women, in partnership with Royal Enfield. The aim is to make the metro a safer place for women and children.

The women cops would be riding Royal Enfield Himalayans and assigned to patrolling duties. In the first phase, 15 women officers were introduced to Royal Enfield bikes like the Himalayan, Interceptor 650 and Classic Signals 350 in October 2019. In the second phase conducted in December and January, they were trained to ride the bikes in city traffic. The training was conducted in collaboration with Team Royal Enfield.

A ride to Nandi hills was planned to commemorate the new brigade.

Source

According to a media report, BHPian SILVERWOOD (Waseem Memon), who successfully fought against the Karnataka government to abolish lifetime tax for out-of-state cars in Karnataka for 1 year, has been injured in a pothole-related accident.

It is said that it is because of his efforts that the central government is considering uniform road tax across the country. In 2017, he had petitioned the Karnataka High Court seeking directions to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner to ensure that the city's roads are free of potholes. The petition said that despite the high number of pothole-related accidents, no action was taken.

On July 6, 2019, Waseem met with an accident when the rear wheel of his two-wheeler got stuck in a pothole. It is reported that the resulting back pain from the accident was too much to bear and he underwent spinal surgery for dislocation of two of his discs. The medical bill is said to be close to Rs. 2 lakh.

Source: Bangalore Mirror