A world away from the geared beauties at Gachibowli and Madhapur are the inner lanes of old city near Dabeerpura, Noor Khan Bazaar and Purani Haveli where cycles can be spotted at regular intervals. “Hyderabad has a large population that still relies on cycles for commuting and livelihood. Only we don’t notice them. There are flower vendors, the milk man, the newspaper man and countless others in the informal sector. The number of people who cycle to work is still huge,” says Anant Maringanti of Hyderabad Urban Labs.
The cycles that are visible are the expensive ones costing upwards of ₹25,000, while the lower priced ones costing ₹5,000 are numerous, but invisible. “We have to distinguish between cycling as a lifestyle statement as opposed to cycling as a way of life. Only then we can have a realistic number,” feels Mr. Maringanti. In the gullies of Dabeerpura opposite Nabbu Miya Bones Clinic is perhaps the last cycle rental shop in Hyderabad. There are seven cycles to be hired for an hour. “I am planning to wind up in the next two-three months. Look at the ledger; it is afternoon and not a single customer. Who wants to ride a bicycle? Even children prefer riding motorbikes now,” says Shabbir, who runs the old-fashioned bike rental. The countless bicycle rental shops that dotted the old city have disappeared.
“I remember hiring cycles for 10 paise per hour to learn how to ride. There were eight shops on this stretch of Purani Haveli. I could cycle freely as there were very few cars and even fewer motorbikes. Now nobody cycles. Everyone has money and motorbikes,” says Md. Ibrahim, who runs a spare parts shop in the area.
