Banglaore Transport Part One: 2 Wheels

I've been meaning for a while to start a series of blog entries showing the cars, bikes and busses of Bangalore. In this first entry I'm focussing on the two wheeled vehicles. This is probably the most common style of pedal bike on the streets of Bangalore.


It has rod brakes, a beautifully sprung saddle and that's about it. This is a deluxe model with a light and a bell.I'm thinking of buying one as even the best ones cost little more than £25 new. People riding them look very elegant, even when there's someone riding pillion!

Of course, if you want to carry more than two people on a bike, you have to have a motor to pull them along. Credit for this next photo must go to my colleague Karsten.


We've not yet seen more than four people on a bike. Each time it's been four adults and four children, often with the lady riding side-saddle. We once saw three adults on a bike and the jury is still out deciding whether that beats the classic two adults/two kids combo. Whatever the decision, the Bangalore Motorcycle Display Team must be an awesome sight!

Finally, here's a photo that Lea took especially for Colin, but which I know will interest a few other readers:


It's a Royal Enfield, the famous marque that started life in Britain before migrating to India. I'm not the best person to tell you the full story, so if you want to know more you should visit the Royal Enfield website.