Hero Cycles partners with Niti Aayog to celebrate ‘World Bicycle Day’ at India Gate

Promoting cycling as sustainable mode of transport throug

h “#Right2Ride” rally

·         Over 1000 bicycle lovers, cycling enthusiasts, professionals and amateurs joined the public bicycle rally “#Right2Ride” for celebrating the World Bicycle Day

·         One of a kind event celebrated the passion for this sport as cyclists pedaled in the rally at India Gate

·         ‘Road Pe Dikhegi, Tabhi Toh Chalegi’, an existing popular campaign of Hero Cycles, will spread its wings from Delhi to other cities

·         Lack of a cycling ecosystem and infrastructure in India prevent many to switch to this eco-friendly mode of transport

New Delhi, 2^nd June, 2019:  With the aim of spreading awareness about the social, economic and environmental benefits and improving the cycling infrastructure in the country, Hero Cycles flagged off ‘#Right2Ride’, a public bicycle rally partnering with Niti Aayog, in support of spreading a word for sustainable mobility at the India Gate on June 2, to celebrate the United Nations (UN) mandated World Bicycle Day.  

Hero Cycles Officials kick started the 10 kilometer fun ride at 6 am in the presence of more than 1000 cyclists including men, women and children. The spokesperson, Hero Cycles highlighted that the event was conducted to bring all the cycling enthusiasts under one roof and celebrate the passion for this sport and educate them about the eco-friendly mode of transport.  A study released by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in January 2019 estimated that if bicycles were to “substitute the two- and four-wheelers used for short-distance trips, it can result in an annual benefit of Rs. 1.8 trillion, which is equivalent to 1.6 percent of India’s annual GDP for 2015–16.

 “More than 50 percent of the people in India use non-motorised forms of transport, such as walking and cycling to travel to work followed by two-wheelers (18 percent) and buses (16 percent). Benefits of cycling are immense be it direct or indirect. Through this ‘#Right2Ride’, we wish to bring attention to the major factors that are hampering the growth of cycling infrastructure in our country. We also want to tell people that cycling is not just an individual choice but one that knits together communities”, said Mr. Pankaj M Munjal, Chairman and Managing Director, a Hero Motors Company.

The event once again raised the concerns about the lack of safe cycling infrastructure on Indian roads by talking about the effectiveness of their existing campaign “Road pe dikhegi tabhi to chalegi”. They also extended the campaign in other cities besides Delhi. The main idea behind this campaign is to bring cycles back on road and the need for separate cycling lanes.

Cycling has the potential to help countries meet several of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite its many benefits and utilities to the ordinary user, bicycle ownership and its use for daily commute has not been given adequate promotion by the authorities in terms of finance or technological up-gradation capital for many small bicycle and parts manufacturing units.

About HMC

The HMC Group with a $ 1.2 bn asset base and over 10,000 people across the globe comprises of the bicycle giant Hero Cycles, Auto parts manufacturing companies - Hero Motors, ZF Hero Chassis Systems Pvt. Ltd, and Munjal Kiriu Industries Pvt. Ltd, hospitality arm Munjal Hospitality and luxury home décor products company Oma Living.

Incorporated in 1956, Hero Cycles Limited is the largest cycle manufacturer in the world. The company has a manufacturing capacity of 7.5 million bicycles per year, with its unit in Ludhiana (Punjab), Bihta (Bihar) & Ghaziabad (UP). The company has a highly integrated plant in Ludhiana Ghaziabad (UP) and Bihta (Bihar) and a state of art manufacturing facility is Sri Lanka as well. The Ghaziabad facility also manufactures automotive rims and various other auto components for global automotive giants. In addition to the aforesaid the group also owns UK-based Avocet Sports and FireFox Bikes in India. While Avocet Sports was Hero Cycles’ first overseas acquisition and marked the company’s entry into mass segment of European bicycle market, the acquisition of Firefox Bikes was a strategic move to cement its position in the fast-growing premium bicycling segment in India.

Hero Cycles is a leader in both the standard and special bicycle segments in India, with an overall market share of about 35 per cent. The company is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and the most modern machinery. A nation-wide distribution network with over 3000 dealers and the favourable location of its plants near vendors support its operations and facilitate competitive pricing of its bicycles. Hero Cycles also exports to various countries in Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.