SMS to cycle

It has happened time and again. A long weekend is coming up, but the neighbourhood cycle rentals have either shut shop or don’t have a spare bicycle. Next time you face it, just send an SMS to Cyclic Motion.

It has happened time and again. A long weekend is coming up, but the neighbourhood cycle rentals have either shut shop or don’t have a spare bicycle. Next time you face it, just send an SMS to Cyclic Motion.

This cycle rental service in Navi Mumbai, started by four engineers Sandeep Kurup, Ankit Mehra, Durgesh Tirthkar and Kalyansunder Mazumder, allows people to book cycles via SMS and then offers to drop them off at a convenient location at a time that suits the rider. Even better, the rates for renting are nominal. The service kicked off on April 22.

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“Navi Mumbai has a lot of cyclists. Also, we noticed that several people invest in an expensive cycle, but don’t use them. Then there is the health and environment benefit. So it made sense to start something like this,” says Sandeep.

On offer are ungeared and low bar cycles. While residents of Navi Mumbai do not have to pay a deposit to hire a cycle, those living within city limits have to shell out some refundable cash. The cost of renting a bicycle is nominal — Rs 40 for day, Rs 70 for three days, Rs 100 for the weekend and Rs 250 for a month.

To get a cycle, just send an SMS and the team will call you back. You also need to provide identity and address proof. Sandeep adds that they already have some regulars, including a group of women riders who cycle to stay fit.

And while Cyclic Motion looks after the maintenance of cycles, riders also have the option of requesting headgear facility at no extra charge. Their only request — ensure that the cycles are safe by parking them within allocated premises.