The Mumbai has witnessed record break purchase of two-wheelers in the current year. In Central Mumbai there has been a record of sell of 46 thousand 117 bikes. Due to the increasing number of four-wheelers and traffic congestion due to Metro rail work, Mumbaikars have preferred to buy two-wheelers over four-wheeler vehicles to get rid of the traffic jam in the city.
Currently, more than 20 lakh two-wheeler runs in the city. The registration of all types of vehicles has increased more than 800 every day. The number of vehicles in Mumbai has reached to 35 lakhs. It includes 10 lakh private cars. In the last six years, the number of two-wheelers has increased by 77 percent.
Like Pune, the Mumbaikars have also started preferring two-wheelers as the simplest and fastest way in traffic congestion. ‘My Mahanagar’ has learnt that the number of two-wheelers is growing at a very fast pace in central Mumbai.
Due to the increasing traffic jam in Mumbai, the two-wheeler sell has grown tremendously. This has certainly become the good news for two-wheeler companies. According to the Tardeo Regional Transport Office, the number of two-wheelers in the year 2011-12 was 3 lakh 38 thousand. This number has been doubled in the past five years. At present, the number of two wheelers in central Mumbai is 5 Lakh 81 thousand. According to traffic experts, traffic congestion due to petrol, diesel hike and metro work has resulted in a large number of bikes being purchased. At least 150 to 250 new two-wheelers are coming on road every day in Mumbai.
The on-going Metro work has doubled the traffic congestion problem in Mumbai since last two years. Therefore the numbers of two-wheeler buyers are increasing every day. It will increase further in coming time. Also due to affordable parking facilities, many prefer two-wheelers. Similarly, large number of women and college students prefer using bikes.
Vivek Pai, Transport Expert, Mumbai
Due to the petrol, diesel price hike and traffic congestion in Mumbai due to the Metro work, Mumbaikars prefers two-wheelers more than four-wheelers. The increasing ratio of two wheelers will eventually increase the trouble in road transport. The percentage of violating traffic rules will increase in coming time such as noise pollution, using mobile phone on running bike, not wearing helmets, violating traffic rules. Therefore, the traffic department needs to keep a keen eye on it.
Reasons for taking Bikes
- Dropping children to school or classes is a quick in traffic jams
- Quick travel from home to railway station
- It’s easy to reach the nearest distance
- Faster travel than Rickshaw and taxi
- Low rates and low EMIs of Bikes
- Fuel saving
The number of two-wheelers in central Mumbai (Statistics from the Regional Transport Office at Taddev)
- Year 2013 – 3 lakh 65 thousand
- Year 2014 – 3 lakh 88 thousand
- Year 2015 – 4 lakh 38 thousand
- Year 2016 – 4 lakh 48 thousand
- Year 2017 – 5 lakh 35 thousand
- Year 2018 – 5 lakh 81 thousand
