Pedalling through challenges: SmartBike and its 5,000 users

Aditya Shukla, a delivery personnel, explains, “I, along with many others, rely on SmartBikes because not everyone can afford to buy a bike, handle paperwork, or spend on fuel daily. These cycles allow people like me to work and earn a living.”

Similarly, Pankaj Jha, another delivery personnel, says, “Many of us from underprivileged backgrounds use this service to generate income for our families.”

However, college students, one of the primary target groups, are not fully utilising the service due to the ongoing trend of taking cars to college. While a small portion of students from government colleges still rely on SmartBikes as their mode of transport, their counterparts in private colleges rarely use them.

Dhruv Brar, a student at UIET, PU, highlights the potential of SmartBikes for students but points out key issues, “In a city like Chandigarh, where almost 200 kilometres of cycle tracks have been laid down, one should definitely consider commuting by bicycles. The only challenges are the availability of bikes and creating awareness about the service among young people.”

Financial and infrastructural challenges further hinder SmartBike’s sustainability, with losses amounting to Rs 3.6 crore due to theft, vandalism and encroachments at docking stations. Copper wires from several docking stations have also been stolen. Around 1,100 bicycles have severely been damaged, over 350 stolen, and docking stations frequently obstructed by private vehicles.

Vikas Sangwan, a student at CCET and a daily user, shares his frustration, “Most of the time, it’s challenging to find a well-maintained bicycle at the stands. The company should ensure the timely maintenance of these bicycles.” Tourists, too, face difficulties in accessing the service. Arunima Singh, a frequent visitor to Chandigarh, notes, “Whenever I visit Chandigarh, I prefer commuting by bicycle, but I often face difficulties finding charged e-bikes or even regular cycles at docking stations.”

The service is also exploring the reintroduction of e-bikes, previously withdrawn due to theft concerns. As the service navigates financial and operational hurdles, sustained government support and public cooperation will be crucial to ensuring its long-term success as an affordable and sustainable urban transport solution.

(The author is an intern with The Indian Express)