Bicycles in high gear as fuel costs rise

High prices still worry lower-income groups

ISLAMABAD:

As rising petroleum prices drive transport fares higher, even those travelling by their own vehicles find it hard to meet the expenses from their shrinking budgets. The only option left is the bicycle, but it has also become costly for people in the lower income bracket.

According to bicycle shop owners, the demand for the two-wheelers is increasing, as are their prices. This rise is not entirely because of high demand but also due to inflation. This trend has been particularly obvious since the beginning of the new financial year, which dawned with a heavy tax burden in the federal budget.

People in the lower-middle and lower-income brackets prefer bicycles to avoid the steep fares of taxis, rickshaws and vans fuelled by the rising prices of petroleum products. Parents in particular want their children to use a more affordable mode of transport.

Bicycles are a common sight in big cities like London, Paris, Rome, New York, Tokyo and Beijing. Merits of bicycle riding include less logjams and less polluted environment. According to medical experts, cyclists have 47% lower risk of fatal accidents, and they are 10% less likely to be hospitalised. “Besides, cycling is a healthy exercise. Cycling reduces the chances of dying from cancer by 51%. It also reduces the risk of heart disease by 24% and mental health by 20%,” Dr Hanif Mughal told The Express Tribune.

This correspondent spoke to several shopkeepers as well as potential buyers in Abpara Market, Karachi Company, Peshawar Morr, Committee Chowk, Raja Bazar, Chhota Bazar Sadar in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. They all spoke of long arguments between buyers and sellers to strike a good bargain.

Talking to The Express Tribune, citizens Faisal Arsalan Khan and Sheikh Tayyab suggested that the government abolish state transport system for its employees and encourage bicycle riding. It would save money and reduce traffic load on the city roads.

Several citizens complained that the high prices of bicycles were weighing heavily on their pockets. A bicycle which was available for Rs10,000 sometime ago was now priced anywhere between Rs25,000 and Rs30,000, and not many could afford this much amount of money.

But the shopkeepers defend the new prices, saying that the rising inflation had pushed the price of everything up, therefore, the price of the bicycle had also increased. According to official document, the bicycle prices during one month rose by 28.3%. Despite that the bicycle sale had increased by 14%.