How bicycles, motorcycles took over the roads of Madras
Bicycles first came to Madras sometime in the 1880s, and at the time, they had a modest start, with there even being demands for a separate lane for cyclists. And while cycles were riding onward, two-wheelers of the motor variety, not so quietly, took to the roads. Brands such as Royal Enfield even set up manufacturing units in the region. To this day, two-wheelers number among the most…
Madras streets were once dominated by bicycles and motorcycles. The two-wheeler tradition began with the rekla, a cycle that relied on animals for propulsion. Cycles arrived in Madras around the 1880s, with warnings issued to cyclists taking their hands off the handlebars in Bombay. The Cycles Club occupied the Suguna Vilasa Sabha until 1910, indicating a significant cyclist presence.
Cyclists were required to use lamps in 1940, with rear lamps replaced by reflectors in 1941. Cyclist risks were a concern even in 1957, with M. Krishnan highlighting the issue. Motorcycle retailing emerged with Rustomji Dorabji Wellington's establishment, followed by R. Patel's Royal Cycles, which later merged with Easun Group's efforts to manufacture motorcycles at Enfield.
Addison & Co. introduced motorcycles and later cycles to the market, while the Easun Group began motorcycle assembly in collaboration with Royal Enfield since 1952. Eicher Group took over Enfield manufacturing in 1993. Scooters were also present, but manufacturing was not a local endeavor until the Eicher Group's involvement. In the 1950s, M.A.
Chidambaram brought the Italian Lambretta brand to India, establishing a plant in collaboration with Italian manufacturers outside Bombay.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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