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      New cars are entering India but bikes still holds the majority

      CarTrade Editorial Team

      CarTrade Editorial Team

      Samajwadi Party’s popular statement “The party gives immense importance to the development of common man and thus adopted the vehicle of the common man – a bicycle as its symbol,” still holds true. Even after two decades of this statement, the party continues with its bicycle symbol and it is also the main mode of transport of ‘aam admi’ or the common man. 2010 survey results of 246 million households published by Census Commission of India confirm that 44.8% own bicycles.

      In Uttar Pradesh, 67% of households use bicycle for traveling, which is highest among all states. Skkim in the North Eastern part of India is reported to have the lowest figure of 0.9% people owing bicycles. According to a report published, although, car sales have increased in recent years, they are still not affordable by many house holds. Among households surveyed, only 4.7% travel by car whereas 21% commute by motorcycles, scooters and moped.

      Goa is reported to have the highest percentage of people having cars and motorized two wheelers. In Goa, 24.6% people travel by car whereas 56% households prefer motorcycles, mopeds and scooters. However, in Meghalaya, only 5.6% households travel by motorized two wheelers. As per the report, a huge proportion of households of India have no “specified mode of transport.” Hence, they either travels by foot, or by public transport or on tame animals, said C. Chandramouli, Census Commissioner of India. According to him, economic well being of the house hold is not reflected completely by specific mode of transport.

      He provided examples of 80% of household of Sikkim, Nagaland and Mizoram, which does not own a car, bicycle or scooter. Northeast India’s “hilly terrain makes it uncomfortable for residents to travel using these modes of transport,” he said. “Public transport is thereby a far more convenient option even for the rich.”

      Even though Chandramouli did not predict whether India’s common man will upgrade from two wheelers to four wheelers in next 10 years, the automobile industry is quite positive. IHS Automotive forecasted that from 2.9 million in 2010, India’s car sales will rise to 4.8 million by 2016.

      Director General of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, Vishnu Mathur, said, “There are huge growth prospects for India’s automobile industry.” According to him, car sales of India will increase to 9 million by 2020. He further said that many first time buyers will emerge with new low cost cars introduced by companies. “Yes, the progression will not happen overnight,” Mr. Mathur said, however, “the aam admi will definitely graduate from riding a bicycle to driving a four-wheeler soon.”