Bicycle for Financial Freedom!

When was the last time you saw someone ride a bicycle on the main roads of an Indian city? Except for kids and professional cyclists or a daily-wage worker you will not see anyone who can afford a scooter with a bicycle.

But how often do you see a regular working adult, someone with a job and responsibilities, using a bicycle for daily needs? Not much, right? That’s exactly what makes people curious when they see me on mine.

I use my bicycle every single day to buy milk, groceries, and for small errands around the neighborhood. And each time, without fail, somebody will stop me and ask, “How much does your bicycle cost?”

At first, I thought maybe my cycle looked stylish, that people were actually admiring it. But I quickly realized that’s not the case. They are not really interested in the brand or the looks of my cycle.

Look!

He still uses a bicycle 🤣

What surprises them is the fact that an adult man is riding a cycle to buy essentials, when most others in my position would choose a scooter or a motorbike. For many people, bicycles are associated with childhood, or with those who cannot “afford” an upgrade.

It’s almost like cycling is looked down upon once you’ve crossed a certain age or economic level. But honestly, that’s a very narrow way of looking at things. Because for me, the bicycle has been nothing less than freedom, savings, health, and a lot of of fun as well.

The first and most obvious advantage is money. In India, fuel prices are always a hot topic. Every time petrol or diesel rates rise, people grumble, but at the end of the day, they still line up at the petrol pumps because what choice do they have? Cars and bikes run on fuel, and there is no escaping it.

But a cycle doesn’t need petrol or diesel, doesn’t need gas, doesn’t need charging, nothing. Just your two legs and some stamina. I realized over the past year that I’ve saved a good amount of money simply by cutting down short fuel trips.

Think about it — how many times do we start our bike just to go buy milk or bread or a few vegetables? These are tiny trips, but if you add them up over months, the fuel wasted is shocking. My cycle has replaced all those trips, and the money saved is quietly adding up in my pocket.

Now, money is just one side of the story. There’s also the convenience. In Indian cities, traffic is one of the most painful parts of daily life. The bigger the city, the worse the jams. Read Why you do not need a car

Sometimes I laugh to myself when I pedal past cars stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Of course, I’m not as fast as a motorbike on open roads, but when you’re moving between close shops or inside small lanes, the cycle is unbeatable.

I don’t need to look for parking spots. I don’t need to fight with anyone for space.

I just stop, put my stand down, finish my errand, and move.

In crowded markets, this is a blessing.

Of course, a cycle is not perfect. It doesn’t have a dickey or big storage like scooters. That’s why I always carry a backpack. Whether it’s packets of milk, a bunch of bananas, or groceries, it all goes inside the bag. Once you get used to it, it doesn’t even feel like a problem. A small adjustment, and you’re sorted.

Another thing people underestimate is maintenance. With scooters and bikes, you have to deal with servicing, oil changes, repairs, and breakdowns. A cycle? Almost nothing. Just keep the tyres inflated and the chain oiled once in a while. That’s it. No tension of mechanics, no waiting at service centres.

But the biggest hidden benefit of cycling is health. Most of us complain that we don’t get time to exercise. We pay for gyms, we make New Year’s resolutions, and yet we sit all day in front of screens.

Cycling solves this without you even realizing it. Every time you pedal, your body is working out. Your legs are stronger, your stamina improves, your heart gets exercise, and you even burn calories.

Instead of wasting time in a gym pedalling on a stationary cycle, I’d much rather do it on an actual road, while also finishing my chores. Read Do not exercise

Why should I pay money to sit in an air-conditioned gym when the open road is free?

This is something I often remind my friends about when they laugh at me for sweating after a cycle ride.

And yes, the sweat is real. This is India. It’s hot, it’s humid, and if you cycle for even 10 minutes, you will be sweaty. I sometimes take two or even three showers in a single day.

It’s inconvenient, no doubt. But then, I remind myself that this sweat is proof that my body is active. And frankly, the feeling of a cool shower after a hot ride is unbeatable.

Now, not everything is rosy. Cycling in Indian cities is risky. You are completely exposed to the madness around you.

You really are like an egg on two thin wheels!

One wrong move, one careless driver, and things can turn ugly. Every time I take my cycle out, I have a small fear in the back of my mind. I’ve seen reckless bikers zoom past inches away from me, buses squeezing cycles into corners, and car drivers honking endlessly as if you don’t belong on the road.

The truth is, Indian roads are not designed for cyclists. There are no proper cycle lanes, no safety measures. You are completely on your own. That danger is real, and I will never deny it.

Then comes the weather. If it rains, I can’t speed away like bikers do. Without a raincoat, I’m stuck at home. And if I do dare to ride in the rain, I reach drenched, with wet shoes and a dripping bag. Not fun.

There’s also a strange cultural angle. In our society, bicycles are often seen as something “lower class.”

Many people who know how to ride don’t want to use them anymore because they feel they’ve “moved up” in life. Scooters and motorbikes are cheap enough these days that most people prefer them.

They are faster, more comfortable, and still economical compared to cars. So yes, a cycle is slower, and it takes more time to cover long distances. I cannot deny that if I need to travel 10-15 kilometres, a cycle is not the best choice. For that, bikes win.

Most small trips we often take are within 5kms

Still, despite all this, I enjoy cycling. Some evenings, I ride just for fun with kids from the neighbourhood. They often come to my house and ask, “Uncle, are you free to ride with us?” We go around the colony, racing, laughing, sometimes just exploring new lanes.

Cycling is social maybe because you are completely exposed on a bicycle at slow speed.

Those moments remind me that cycling is not just transport — it’s joy. It’s freedom that you can’t quite explain until you’ve felt it yourself.

In the end, the money you save from cycling is more than just the fuel cost. It’s about convenience, health, time saved in traffic, and the mental peace of doing something simple. For me, it has become a lifestyle. Read How to save money in India

Yes, I fear the roads. Yes, I sweat too much. Yes, I sometimes get stuck in the rain. But when I compare it to the benefits, the scale tips heavily in favour of cycling.

Every time I pedal to the shop and come back with my bag of groceries, I feel like I’ve beaten the system a little.

I didn’t burn petrol, I didn’t get stuck in traffic, I got some exercise, and I saved money.

That feeling is worth much more than the looks people give me when they see an adult man on a cycle. At the end of the day, I know I’m doing something good — for my health, for my wallet, and maybe, in a small way, even for the planet.

So the next time you think about buying a bicycle, don’t dismiss it as a childhood toy. Think of it as an investment. An investment in your health, your pocket, and your happiness. I can promise you one thing: once you get used to the joy of cycling, you will never look at a short scooter trip the same way again.