Veteran tips on how to navigate Pune roads

Wear the gear

Ajay Phatak of the Ecological Society, has been commuting by cycle “all my life”. “The two most important aspects are safety and pollution. For safety, you make sure that you always wear a helmet. If you are going long distances, you must also wear cycling gloves. If you happen to fall down, one of the first things that you hit are the wrists. The gloves also help because, as you sweat, it will protect your hands from slipping from the handle,” said Phatak.

Cycling veterans place great importance on fluorescent jackets, especially on dim or unlit Pune streets. The cycle must also have lights in front and the back and brakes. “The roads of Pune are not tailored for cyclists anymore. But, cycling is still possible,” he said.

Be part of mainstream traffic

From years of experience, he has realised that one of the mistakes many cyclists make, probably due to the fear of traffic, is to stay very close to the edge of the road. In the city, cycling tracks are few and far between. Finding a clear and wide track is even rarer. Phatak said that cycling on the road is a better option when there is no track or these are encroached.

“One of the reasons cycling accidents happen is that people don’t see cyclists at all. Even if a very large vehicle comes close to you, it is possible that you can easily fall down. So, you should be seen on the road. While cycling, you must assume that you are a part of the traffic and not an inferior vehicle on the road. Go with the traffic rather than staying on the edge of the lane. That way cyclists can avoid the problem of being stuck on the left of the road when they want to turn right at the signal,” said Phatak.

Start with a cycling group, correct bike model

According to Nishikant Waikar of Hadapsar Athletic Club, beginners should be careful about the cycle they choose. “The basic Mountain Bikes are suitable but must be adjusted for height. A more experienced cyclist can use a hybrid cycle while an advanced cyclist can use pro road bikes. In the morning, when the traffic is low, one can cycle around Pune University and other locations like Pashan road, Magarpatta City, roads around Turf club race course, Taljai hill-Sahkarnagar.

In the heart of the city, there are narrow lanes with drains or potholes that are dangerous. Beginners should avoid highways and start with the safest roads. Ideally, beginners should start with a cycling group to learn about the city roads,” said Waikar.