VADODARA, June 18: Some 40 years ago cycles were the most commonly used means of transport. Many even hired bicycles to reach their workplaces. Today, however the scene has changed. Liberalisation has brought in its wake, Marutis, Tata Estates and Cielos. The cycle, too, is doubling up to suit two different purposes. While for the poor a cycle is still used as a mode of transport, for the middle and the higher class and the health-conscious it has become a fitness equipment.Yes. Times have changed and none other than the cycle mart owners will vouch for it. Says Sandip Datir, a cycle mart owner, ``The sale of bicycles has not gone down drastically, but the competition has increased. Earlier, there were a handful of shops, today there are several.''
However, when it comes to renting bicycles, the shopkeepers have suffered the most. ``Some 45 years ago, renting bicycles brought me 40 per cent of a my one-day's earnings. However, now it is not possible to survive solely by renting out bicycles,'' says Suleman Dudhwala, one of the oldest cycle mart owners near Kothi.
From the days when one naya paise was charged for one hour to Rs 1.50 per hour, Suleman has been a witness to transformation. The rates gradually increased from 50 paise per day to Rs 12 per day and customers changed from officers to workers. Earlier, apart from students and peons, sales tax inspectors also hired the bicycles, recalls Suleman. ``Now only shop employees and the ferias (hawkers) who sell miscellaneous items cycle their way out,'' he says.
``It's a fast paced life. Now you cannot survive only by renting bicycles,'' says Abduljabbar, Suleman's son. According to him, they have continued to rent cycles only for the simple reason that these get serviced at their repair shop. Also, the number of bicycles owned by the Dudhwalas have come down from 40 to 30. ``Persons who earlier hired cycles now own cars,'' he observes.
Datir, whose forefathers set up a bicycle shop, by renting the two-wheeler, says business is no longer lucrative. ``Only those who are very poor hire bicycles. Otherwise even if you consider a daily rent of Re 1, a person can easily pay an early installment of Rs 365 to purchase a two-wheeler,'' he says.
Arjun Kahar of Pratapsingh Cycle Mart eagerly awaits customers, despite knowing there are very few takers. In case of cycles for children, sale is only during vacations, he says.
The scene is no different at India Cycle Mart in Nagarwada. The number of those renting this pollution-free vehicle has reduced to a handful in the city.
However, all is not lost. ``With petrol becoming costly day by day and pollution increasing, people will revert to cycles,'' say Abduljabbar and Datir, with a glint of hope in their eyes.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
