Can The Bike Compete With The World's Cheapest Car?

Cyclists are teaming up in Delhi, forming a club to promote the bike as a better transportation alternative than the cars that are increasingly flooding the city's streets.

1 minute read

January 17, 2008, 5:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"Buses roar past, belching fumes. Cars weave in and out of imaginary lanes, and auto-rickshaws try to overtake you on the inside."

"It is certainly not the safest way to see the sights in India's capital, and it makes for a dangerous commute. But Delhi's cyclists hope their time is about to come."

"The Delhi Cycling Club has about 250 members at the moment - with a target of 1,000 by the end of the year."

"The cycling club is about to start monthly training sessions for would-be cyclists, and it plans to publish a cycling map of the city - showcasing safer routes and cycle lanes."

"But in a country increasingly obsessed with the latest fad, can the old-fashioned bicycle really compete with the appeal of the world's cheapest car, Nano, launched with such fanfare in Delhi last week?"

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 in BBC

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

SunRail passenger train at platform in Poinciana, Florida.

Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion

The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.

November 24, 2024 - Hoodline

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

December 1, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

Adult man talking to young woman across wooden garden fence with young girl standing next to him.

For Some, Co-Housing Offers Social and Economic Benefits

Residents of co-living developments say the built-in community helps ease the growing isolation felt by many Americans.

5 seconds ago - NPR

View down San Francisco street with colorful residential buildings and high-rise downtown buildings in distance.

New Map Puts Bay Area Traffic Data in One Place

The Traffic Monitoring site uses community-collected speed and volume data to reveal traffic patterns on local roads.

1 hour ago - Streetsblog San Francisco

Detroit Skyline

Electric Car Share Comes to Detroit’s Eastside

The program is operated by the Eastside Community Network and funded through the U.S. Department of Energy.

2 hours ago - Next City

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.