People in many cities have to wait to buy a bicycle of their choice due to a massive surge in demand. Bicycle sales in India have grown by over two-folds in the last five months as people are opting for this cheapest mode of transport to cover short to medium amid coronavirus pandemic. According to the All India Bicycle Manufacturers Association (AICMA), a total of 41,80,945 bicycles have been sold in the country in the five months from May to September 2020. In May, the number of bicycles sold was 4,56,818. This number almost doubled to 8,51,060 in June, while in September, the country sold 11,21,544 cycles in a month.
AICMA secretary general K B Thakur said the increase in demand for bicycles is unprecedented. “Probably for the first time in history, such a trend has been seen on bicycles.” “Sales of bicycles have gone up by over 100 per cent in these five months. In many places people have to wait for their favourite cycle, booking has to be done. Such a trend has been seen for the first time in the country and the reason can be attributed to health awareness after the coronavirus pandemic, they said.
Thakur said that the coronavirus pandemic crisis has made people aware of their health and immunity but at the same time they have become conscious about social distancing. In such a situation, a bicycle has emerged as an option, he added.
