D.A.C. Maunder

A Comparison of Cycle Use in Delhi, Jaipur and Hyderabad

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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The cycle is the cheapest personal mode of mechanised transport. Large numbers are used in Indian cities and clearly ownership is an important factor in the level of demand for public transport.

The majority of cyclists have unskilled occupations and low incomes. Average incomes of cyclists are Rs. 337 in Delhi, Rs. 391 in Hyderabad and Rs. 379 in Jaipur. The income in Delhi is probably lower than in Jaipur or Hyderabad because three of the six survey sties were located close to low income resettlement areas.

Cycle ownership continues for many years once started. Many cyclists have owned a cycle for more than 15 years and often a cycle lasts for a similar period, though most cycle in Jaipur and Hyderabad were less than 10 years old. The average cost of a cycle is between Rs.221-243. This represents 72 per cent of a cyclist's monthly income in Delhi, 62 per cent in Jaipur and 56 per cent in Hyderabad.

Most cyclists were travelling for employment purposes when interviewed but as the survey hours were between 06.30-11.30 a bias would be expected. Frequency reflects journey purpose with the majority making the same journey twice daily for 5-6 days a week.

A larger number of cyclists in both Jaipur and Hyderabad travel short distances (of less than 5 or 10 km) than in Delhi. So city size is reflected in journey distance cycled. Average distance cycled in Delhi is approximately 11 km compared to 5 km in Jaipur and 6.4 km in Hyderabad. Again the journey distance may be longer in Delhi due to a large number of cyclists interviewed being from low income resettlement colonies which are sited up to 20 km from the centres of Old Delhi and New Delhi. Journey times reflect distance travelled and range from 22 minutes in Jaipur to 49 minutes in Delhi.

The cost of public transport fares is a major reason why cyclists do not use public transport services regularly. Quite naturally cyclists prefer the least cost travel mode so that when by choice they utilise public transport services they travel by bus. When their cycle needs repair trips are deferred until the cycle is repaired so that the cost of a public transport fare is 'saved'. Travel costs are therefore kept to a minimum.

Most cyclists in Hyderabad spend less than Rs. 15 a month on public transport services the average being Rs.12.7 or 42 paise per day. This is equivalent to 3.3 per cent of average monthly income and if cycle repair costs are included then total average transport expenditure by cyclists in Byderabad amounts to Rs.17.4 per month or 4.4 per cent of average monthly income. Cycle ownership therefore confers on its owner the least or minimum cost travel mode and allows convenience and flexibility with regard to journey timings. It also allows its owner a choice of travel mode; for he is no longer captive to public transport services, he can decide if he wants to cycle or travel by bus, cycle rickshaw or other modes. From the survey of cyclists in the three cities it would appear that cyclists rarely use public transport services in India and so once a cycle is possessed its owners demand for public transport services is minimal.