From vintage Vespas to Royal Enfields, meet Thiruvananthapuram’s riding communities

As the sun sets at Kannanthura Beach in Thiruvananthapuram, a group of vintage scooters begins its journey towards the beach. The 10 members of the Vintage & Classic Scooters Club (VCSC) ride bikes that range from a silver 1982 Vijay Super Mark 2 to a blue 2000 LML Vespa. Founded in 2017, the VCSC is one of several communities in the city that bring together two-wheeler enthusiasts, promote safe riding habits, and encourage proper vehicle maintenance.

Similar clubs like Travancore Royal Enfield Club (TREC), Voyagers Brotherhood, Riders of Technopark, Royal Enfield Retro Riders Trivandrum, and Trivandrum RX organize rides, help members source spare parts, and connect them with mechanics and other resources.

For many members, these communities provide an opportunity to share a passion for classic vehicles with like-minded individuals. Akshay AS, the admin of the VCSC, explains how his love for scooters began with a vintage Bajaj Chetak. He emphasizes how the club has helped him make friends and connect with other scooter riders across South India. Akshay owns a vintage LML Vespa and notes that not all scooters are suitable for long rides, but his group still participates in them, helping each other out when problems arise.

The Travancore Royal Enfield Club (TREC), founded in 2020, has over 400 members and organizes more than 12 long rides annually. Its most recent ride took them to Ilaveezhapoonchira in Kottayam. TREC's founder, Arun S Kumar, explains that he started the group after struggling to find parts and mechanics for his vintage Bullet bike. The club now welcomes both vintage and new bike riders.

Kiran MR, the founder of Riders of Technopark, which has more than 500 members, founded the club in March 2025 with just four members. The club began as a way for tech enthusiasts in the city to ride together and has since grown into a thriving community. Kiran mentions that the club participated in India Bike Week in 2025, becoming one of the few new clubs to succeed in this challenging event.

Voyagers Brotherhood, with nearly 150 members, organizes rides across the country, featuring riders of Harley-Davidson, BMW, vintage Jawa, Yezdi bikes, and Ola scooters. The club's president, Lakshmi S Nair, mentions their planned rallies on national days and their efforts to promote road safety awareness.

Women are also active members of these communities. TREC has 50 women riders who organize monthly rides, and more than 20 women are part of Riders of Technopark. Voyagers Brotherhood has around 25 women members. Club members emphasize that women are welcome and that their communities strive to be inclusive. They organize workshops for women and help them overcome concerns about societal perceptions.

These vintage vehicle communities also provide practical support, such as suggesting local mechanics, sourcing spare parts, and even assisting with insurance claims for injured members. Members like Vineeth VS of the Royal Enfield Retro Riders Trivandrum club highlight the satisfaction of restoring classic vehicles, which can be a rewarding experience when collaborating with mechanics and sourcing parts from across India.

The communities also welcome Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who return to the city during vacations. They organize rides with these riders and help them maintain and repair their vehicles. Vineeth notes that such activities foster strong bonds within the communities, bringing together people of different age groups and keeping the hobby alive for future generations.