A quick guide to using share-bicycles in Delhi

A first-person account that shows you how to be a pedal-pusher, and use share-bicycles in the capital city

I’d like to believe that I am not vain, considering that I still cannot take a decent selfie. However nothing is more sobering than the live photo option on the GreenRide user app, a public bicycle sharing service.

To access the shared cycle stands scattered across Delhi you first need to share a tonne of personal information. You’ll need to share a selfie and two ID proof documents. If you don’t feel vulnerable sharing a sans makeup selfie, uploading images of your Aadhar and any other photo ID such as a PAN card, passport or driving license may put you on edge.

Since I am on a mission to do my bit for the environment I wasn’t going to let the risk of identity theft stop me. In all fairness, once the registration is approved the app is pretty easy to use. The fare is calculated on the bases of time slots for 60 minutes. The first two times you pay ₹10 per slot and thereafter its ₹20. The annual charges are ₹200. After revealing all my personal information, I was ready to peddle away my worries and burn off last night’s doughnuts.

Turns out this app is useful if you live around Vishwavidhyalaya area. Do try it if you are a student at any of these North Campus colleges: Ramjas College, Daulat Ram College, Hansraj College or Kirori Mal College. All you need to do is select the “Take a Ride” option, scan the barcode, and pull the cycle out from the stand. When you are done just return the cycle to the nearest GreenRide stand (check for service availability at greenride.in).

Another app called Planet Green Bikes services south Delhi. Thankfully it didn’t require any ‘live selfies’ but I did have to share my Aadhar information. After paying the initial security deposit of ₹100, and selecting the daily plan that cost me ₹20 (the weekly plan is worth ₹120, while the monthly one is ₹500), I was all set.

All I had to do now was to brave the heat, scan the barcode and finally put pedal to metal. This app services about 25 locations covering the BRT area, which includes Defence Colony, Lajpat Nagar, ITO and Vishwavidhyalaya among others. The service is operational between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

A wide cycle lane runs along the stand at Defence Colony. If you cycle late in the evening like I did, watch out for commuters on motorcycles and scooters. They will zoom past you on the cycle track. Do wear a mask to filter out toxic traffic-fumes. When you are done, head to the cycle stand, slide it in the slot and wait for the beep. There’s also SmartBike that charges ₹10 for the first 30 minutes which can go upto ₹300 a day if you’re not a member. A weekly pass costs ₹199. (Check smartbikemobility.com for locations).

I can’t wait for the winter, to truly enjoy this service. Do try it, but also remember to wear comfortable clothes in which you you can safely cycle. Now, if only we had collapsible helmets, life would be so much easier (and safer).

Source: Read Full Article