Pic Courtesy: Lonely Planet
India’s multifaceted cultures come together in namma Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore). Indians work, visit, and vacation there. And, international tourists return again and again.
Painted walls, open spaces, and historical sites abound. But the numerous hole-in-the-wall restaurants, the wonderful coffees, and the sights, sounds, and smells of Brigade belong to Bengaluru alone. As Lonely Planet says, “one of India’s most progressive and developed cities, blessed with a benevolent climate, a modern metro system, and a burgeoning drinking, dining and shopping scene.”
But with 7,000 to 7,500 two-wheelers on the road, you’ll need a fitting vehicle. There are cars, of course, and a transit system with buses for women only to ensure their safety. Still, renting a scooter gives you more freedom and mobility.
Don’t let the traffic cripple your mobility!
Tourist, resident, or visitor, you can manage the notorious traffic in Bengaluru. It’s not the continent’s only traffic jam. Bike rentals are your smartest option. A bike or scooter will get you where you want to faster, take you into the country if you want, and provide a lot of fun, too.
- The top-dollar Bajaj Dominar 400 (?7969/mo) runs on a single cylinder, 6-speed, and closed fuel injection system on a beam-type perimeter frame. It displaces 373.3cc with 35 @ 6500 torque for 34.5 BHP. This Dominar will go from 0 to 100km/hr in 8.23 seconds on its way to a top speed of 148/km/hr.
- A middle-priced Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 (?6419/mo) boasts comfort and convenience. It sports a twin-pod, semi-digital instrument panel aligned with a projector headlamp and an LED taillight. Its telescoping front forks and gas-charged shock absorbers increase the comfort of a ride powered by a 346cc single-cylinder and 4-stroke carburettor motor. The 5-shift transmission will hit 19.8 BHP at 5250 RPM.
- The lower-cost and extremely popular Honda Activa at ?2939/mo is among the most popular choices on Bangalore streets. A scooty on rent like this serves your every need. As Motor Beam magazine points out, “Thanks to the epic success of the Activa, India becomes the largest market for Honda in volumes.” Activa customers favoured the 109.19cc, air-cooled, 2-valve engine with its CVT automatic transmission. It’s perfect for city driving with a top speed of 85/km/hr.
Improve your local mobility
Bengaluru remains a surprisingly efficient city for all its traffic. Still a major centre for all things Indian, it leads the state in tech centres and innovation. General Electric, Biocon, Bosch, Tech Mahindra, Wipro Technologies and Tata Consultancy Services stand out among over 200 companies drawing brains and bodies to the more than 300 acres of handsome buildings and beautiful landscaping at Electronics City.
The bright young tech minds pouring in for Electronics City jobs just love the opportunities presented by rental bikes and scooters. Fully-insured, regularly-maintained, and easily-affordable, the two-wheelers make big city life in India so much more enjoyable.
With your helmet on and required license in your pocket, you can buzz around your neighbourhood, wind your way their traffic jams ahead, and roll your way to and from work, shopping, or school on time.
