For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Bicycle and Mahatma Gandhi

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. - 09404955338, 09415777229

E-mail-dr.yadav.yogendra@gandhifoundation.net; dr.yogendragandhi@gmail.com

Bicycle and Mahatma Gandhi

Bicycle is means of transport in villages. A person who rides a bicycle is called bicyclist. Bicycles were introduced in the 19th century and now number more than a billion worldwide. They are the means of transportation in many regions. They also provide a popular form of recreation, and have been adapted for such uses as children's toys, adult fitness, and military and police applications, courier services. Mahatma Gandhi rode a bicycle many times in his life. He knew it is the best means of transport for poor persons. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The Johannesburg Town Council could not bear to see the Kaffirs riding bicycles like the whites, and therefore passed, at its last meeting, a resolution to the effect that a Kaffir who had a permit to own a bicycle must wear on his left arm, while riding in the city, a badge with the number on it, easily visible.”1

The first mechanically-propelled 2-wheel vehicle may have been built by Kirkpatrick MacMillan, a Scottish blacksmith, in 1839. He is also associated with the first recorded instance of a cycling traffic offence. Bicycles and horse buggies were the two mainstays of private transportation just prior to the automobile, and the grading of smooth roads in the late 19th century was stimulated by the widespread advertising, production, and use of these devices. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “An interesting suit was recently heard in the law court here. Dr. Kincaid Smith’s motor car was being driven by his chauffeur and an engineer, named Mr. Clark Dacurtey2, was at the time riding his bicycle. Dr. Smith’s chauffeur turned the car slightly in from his side of the road and collided with Mr. Dacurtey’s bicycle, knocking him down. He was hurt and had to be removed to hospital. Dr. Smith was not in the car when the accident occurred. Mr. Dacurtey filed a suit in the High Court here claiming £2,000 as damages. Justice Bristow, giving judgment, awarded £750 to Mr. Dacurtey; but while doing so, the honourable judge remarked that, though Dr. Smith himself was not at fault, he had to suffer vicariously for the fault of his employee. People ought to be very careful while employing a person. If the servant commits a fault resulting in injury to a third party, the damage has to be made good by the employer. Had the offence been committed by Dr. Smith’s servant while he was not going on his master’s business, Dr. Smith would not have been obliged to pay.”2

Bicycles can be categorized in different ways: e.g. by function, by number of riders, by general construction, by gearing or by means of propulsion. The combined center of mass of a bicycle and its rider must lean into a turn to successfully navigate it. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “If you are so crazy about a bicycle, use it, and then rid yourself of the craze. While riding to a village on a bicycle, one has to face danger from cattle. The latter are utter strangers to our bicycle and, being frightened, charge at us. You may write to Mr. Kallenbach unhesitatingly. I shall continue to write to you.”3

The bicycle is extraordinarily efficient in both biological and mechanical terms. The bicycle is the most efficient human-powered means of transportation in terms of energy a person must expend to travel a given distance. From a mechanical viewpoint, up to 99% of the energy delivered by the rider into the pedals is transmitted to the wheels, although the use of gearing mechanisms may reduce this by 10–15%. In terms of the ratio of cargo weight a bicycle can carry to total weight, it is also an efficient means of cargo transportation. A human traveling on a bicycle at low to medium speeds of around 10–15 mph (15–25 km/h) uses only the energy required to walk. Air drag, which is proportional to the square of speed, requires dramatically higher power outputs as speeds increase. If the rider is sitting upright, the rider's body creates about 75% of the total drag of the bicycle/rider combination. In its early years, bicycle construction drew on pre-existing technologies. More recently, bicycle technology has in turn contributed ideas in both old and new areas. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Since you have bought a bicycle, you should use it for exercise.”4

Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower hight at the expense of compromised structural integrity, since this places a strong bending load in the seat tube, and bicycle frame members are typically weak in bending. The ease of stepping through is also appreciated by those with limited flexibility or other joint problems. Because of its persistent image as a women's bicycle, step-through frames are not common for larger frames. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Certificates must be produced on demand in courts which the holder attended on business, and in revenue offices which issued to him a trading or bicycle licence. That is to say, if an Indian wanted any Government office to do for him something within its competence, the officer could ask to see his certificate before granting his request. Refusal to produce the certificate or to supply such particulars or means of identification as might be prescribed by regulation would also be held to be an offence for which the person refusing could be fined or sent to prison.”5

Step-through was popular partly for practical reasons and partly for social mores of the day. For most of the history of bicycles' popularity women have worn long skirts, and the lower frame accommodated these better than the top-tube. Furthermore it was considered "unladylike" for women to open their legs to mount and dismount - in more conservative times women who rode bicycles at all were vilified as immoral or immodest. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Give me an account of the cow-protection exhibition. How many attended the city exhibition and how many the cow-protection exhibition? Take care of your health. Your request to Maganbhai seems to me quite reasonable. all of us have not learnt to understand the spirit behind such frank dealings. Have I not told you about Mr. Ireland of Delhi? He is a great friend of Andrews. Once the latter used his bicycle, for which he charged two or three rupees, for he considered himself a trustee for the cycle. When going to simla, he refused to accept from me second-class fare and accepted only intermediate fare. Even the closest friends should have such perfectly truthful dealings with one another. We have before us the examples of Harishchandra, Taramati, Rohit, etc. You should have no fear.”6

Historically, materials used in bicycles have followed a similar pattern as in aircraft, the goal being high strength and low weight. Since the late 1930s alloy steels have been used for frame and fork tubes in higher quality machines. In the 1980s aluminum alloy frames and other components became popular due to their light weight, and most mid-range bikes are now principally aluminum alloy of some kind. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The district officer in Kaira suggests a like procedure for a motor and a bicycle lying somewhere in Kaira. Cl. 16(a) of the Settlement clearly contemplates the return of movable property seized in connection with the movement. It does not say that the seized property is to be taken on application by the person but it is to be returned, and if it is not irrelevant to mention it here, I may inform you that the word ‘returned’ was chosen after discussion. I may also add that, whilst I do not know anything about the condition of the Young India press and other seized property, I do know that the motor-car, and the bicycle seized in Kaira are admittedly in a broken-up condition. It is also common ground that, when they were seized, they were in good order and condition.”7

Multi-speed bicycles allow gear selection to suit the circumstances: a cyclist could use a high gear when cycling downhill, a medium gear when cycling on a flat road, and a low gear when cycling uphill. In a lower gear every turn of the pedals leads to fewer rotations of the rear wheel. This allows the energy required to move the same distance to be distributed over more pedal turns, reducing fatigue when riding uphill, with a heavy load, or against strong winds. A higher gear allows a cyclist to make fewer pedal turns to maintain a given speed, but with more effort per turn of the pedals. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “But in order to bring within the smallest compass possible points of dispute between the Government and myself as representing the Congress, I have advised the owners of the motor-car and bicycle to remove them, if they chose to do so. So far as the press is concerned I am sorry to say that I must ask for due fulfilment of the terms of the Settlement. If the Government seriously question my interpretation I am quite willing to submit the question for decision to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Bombay or any other impartial authority.”8

Three styles of handlebar are common. Upright handlebars, the norm in Europe and elsewhere until the 1970s, curve gently back toward the rider, offering a natural grip and comfortable upright position. Drop handlebars drop as they curve forward and down, offering the cyclist best braking power from a more aerodynamic crouched position, as well as more upright positions in which the hands grip the brake lever mounts, the forward curves, or the upper flat sections for increasingly upright postures. Mountain bikes generally feature a 'straight handlebar' or 'riser bar' with varying degrees of sweep backwards and centimeters rise upwards, as well as wider widths which can provide better handling due to increased leverage against the wheel. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “If, however, you are determined to work in the city, you should stay in the city. You are not strong enough to go to the city and return on bicycle. I think it would be a risky thing to do. Give up the desire to ride two horses at the same time. You should not become an obstacle in the attempt being made in the Ashram to do without outside labour as far as possible. Do not worry about your letter being long, but you should always write with ink. You should not spend a pie in excess of your income. Write to me from wherever you are. What you write about prison life is not correct. I have not come across any instance of a person having been made dull and insensitive by prison food.”9

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I hope you are careful about eating. You may use a bicycle, but you should also walk daily.”10 The basic shape and configuration of a typical upright bicycle has changed little since the first chain-driven model was developed around 1885. However, many details have been improved, especially since the advent of modern materials. The invention of the bicycle has had an enormous effect on society, both in terms of culture and of advancing modern industrial methods. Several components that eventually played a key role in the development of the automobile were invented for the bicycle. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am eager enough to travel by train whenever I get an opportunity and a bicycle runs down to Dr. Kanuga’s dispensary the Addressee’s daughter-in-law and Maganlal Gandhi’s daughter moment I have an inflammation in one of the eyes. This is quite true. But poor sanatanist, do they know that during the last fifteen months I have not stepped into a train even once nor sent anybody bicycling to Dr. Kanuga?”11

Bicycle suspensions are used primarily on mountain bicycles, but are also common on hybrid bicycles, and can even be found on some road bicycles, as they can help deal with problematic vibration. Suspension is especially important on recumbent bicycles, since while an upright bicycle rider can stand on the pedals to achieve some of the benefits of suspension, a recumbent rider cannot. The bicycle has had a considerable effect on human society, in both the cultural and industrial realms. Around the turn of the 20th century, bicycles reduced crowding in inner-city tenements by allowing workers to commute from more spacious dwellings in the suburbs. They also reduced dependence on horses. Bicycles allowed people to travel for leisure into the country, since bicycles were three times as energy efficient as walking and three to four times as fast. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “As to Tara’s other papers and things, they should be left untouched till we know what can be done with the will.2 We have first to trace her relatives who may be interested in her property. The bicycle can certainly be used by Gopal. Similarly you may use the Sita.”12

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Today he has come riding five miles on bicycle of his own free will. There was no necessity for him to come for the sake of any work. But once he feels well he cannot sit idle. And I do not stop him from exerting himself within the limits of his strength. The matter was not at all worth writing to you about. There was no cause for worry. We had an experienced doctor with us But even his help was not taken. He did wish to give some medicine, but I emphatically forbade any medicine.”13 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “In South Africa I lived at a distance of 7 miles from my office and used to go there and come back either on foot or on bicycle. But I do not wish to overburden you. Think it over. Show this letter to Kakasaheb and do what is right. Think about other things having in mind that your decision to go to Kakasaheb is a firm one. I do not think that Kakasaheb wants you with him all the 24 hours. But if it is so, the question does not arise. Or even if he desires you to tour with him, then also there is no question of doing any work in Segaon. I have written in the dim light.”14

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The bicycle incident yesterday was not a happy one. A carpenter will always keep his tools ready for use. A typist will keep his typewriter in good repair and a rider will keep his horse in good stead. Similarly a bicycle should always be kept clean, oiled and ready for use. Otherwise don’t have a bicycle at all. I cannot tolerate an accident caused by carelessness on your part. Such things are included in ahimsa.”15 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Yours of the 22nd arrived today. About the bicycle it is difficult. If some friend sends you one you may take it. You can charge to the Ashram the expense you have mentioned on the two patients. The decision you have taken to go to Akola now is right.”16 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “As far as I know, these Christians are absolutely innocent. It has been pointed out to me that their only fault is that they are Christians. Their greater fault is that they eat beef and pork. When out of curiosity I asked the priest if there was any truth in it, he said that those Roman Catholics had on their own given up eating beef some time ago. If such childish prejudice persists, the future of India is bound to be dark. When the priest was at Rewari, he was deprived of his bicycle, and he narrowly escaped death. Would this misery end only with the extinction of all non-Hindus and non-Sikhs?”17 Bicycles offer an important mode of transport in many developing countries. Until recently, bicycles have been a staple of everyday life throughout Asian countries. They are the most frequently used method of transport for commuting to work, school, shopping, and life in general. They also offer a degree of exercise to keep the individual healthy.

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