Keeping your bike in tip-top shape means regular maintenance, preventative measures, and the occasional on-the-road quick fix.

At least until you ride it to a public meeting, where your bike is part of a vast, bike-wing conspiracy.

New studies find that sales are big and getting bigger. It's time to give them a safe place to ride.

It changes everything – how you think about bikes and how you think about cars.

We covered this subject before but I got it wrong. Peter Flax of Bicycling Magazine got it right.

It's a little bit different from how you ride your bike, but not much.

Another phase of the wonderful Green Lane Project has just been announced, and PeopleForBikes has taken the opportunity to highlight biking and protected bike lane growth in the US through a new video.

A new study from Deloitte predicts what we have said before: e-bikes will eat cars.

Putting money into non-motorized transportation is just the thin edge of the Agenda 21 wedge.

For all the kooky and outlandish conspiracies, there is a serious battle going on about how we define our future. Demonizing the cyclist is a part of that war.

It's more than just a bike; it is a different way of thinking about design and manufacturing.

It's the election cycle, and Agenda 21 has become an issue.

Why can't we all just get along? New campaign humanizes cyclists.

As scooters and e-bikes proliferate, we need a place to put them.

These lockable aluminum panniers might be the answer to my prayers.

Even multi-millionaire pro-basketball players can ride bikes to commute to work!

With this clever new trend, you can take your herb garden for a spin, create a grass mohawk in the spokes, and more.

You know bikes are good. City planners know bikes are good. Yet as soon as cities are successful in getting people biking, a horrible catch-22 is set in motion.

Yes, it's National Bike Month. What's even better - it's National Bike Year, and Maybe National Bike Decade. Here's Three Ways to Up Your Cycling Enjoyment

A student project transforms bicycle wheels into rolling animation -- magic ensues.

Barcelona's bike sharing users are in an uproar; the city council wants to raise the anual fee by 116% in order to reduce the transportation budget.

Real Christmas trees - the ones you go out and cut down yourself, are a growth industry, says SF Gate. That's because young adults are flocking to u-cut tree lots, out for the experience and the family time that Christmas-tree

Henry Grabar writes a really wonderful article that shows how "a better world is possible."

We really have to change the way we use our cities.

This study provides shocking statistics on unsafe motorist behavior, but aims to give urban planners new tools for safer shared roads

Steven M. Johnson is at it again.

Not by a long shot, but the answer is still interesting.

Forget drones and self-driving cars; this is the future of deliveries, whether goods or kids.

Troy Rank's new e-bike was worth the wait.

For people who walk or bike, getting there is half the fun.

They are not toys, they are transportation, and they can be a big help in this crisis.

Some cities are making space for pedestrians. Others, not so much.

A lot of people are buying e-bikes instead of taking transit.

It stands out among the cellphone cases at CES like gold among the dross.

It is a pedal assist mechanism, a different approach than we are used to in North America.

C'est magnifique.

Peloton's revenue surged 66% during the fiscal third quarter, as more people purchased its fitness equipment and tuned into its live classes, to try to break a sweat while stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Would-be cyclists keen to exercise during the lockdown have cleared stores of their stock

Isabel had not ridden a bike since university 10 years ago when lockdown motivated her to seek out two wheels. But half a dozen cycle shops in south London gave her the same answer: no chance. We’re out of stock.

One or two said they could sell her a high-spec racing bike for a price in the region of £1,000. The others advised her to place an order, wait a couple of weeks for the bicycle to be delivered from the manufacturer, then another week or so for it to be built by the store. And there was no option to try before buying.

More staff also revealed

A nagging defect in his superbike allegedly led to the death of biker Zoheb Merchant, 28, on Sunday morning. The Virar resident was on his way home after a joyride with his biker gang, when the front brake of his MV Agusta F3 800 jammed at Manor, throwing him off in another direction. This was the third time his superbike had malfunctioned since he bought it.

Merchant is survived by his parents, three brothers, wife and a six-year-old son. He was the eldest in the family and had a business selling firecrackers. The incident occurred on Sunday morning when Merchant and his group of 15-18 bikers had gone on their usual Sunday ride from Virar to Dahanu. When they were on their way back, the front brake of Merchant's bike allegedly jammed, leading him to lose control of the bike and ram into a divider.

Front brake of Merchant's bike allegedly jammed, leading him to lose control of bike and ram into divider.

One of his friends said, "We have a bikers' group and every Sunday morning, we ride the bike while following proper safety and traffic norms. Whatever happened came as a huge shock to us. Suddenly, some defect occurred in his bike, jamming the brake of the front tyre disc, which then led to him losing control of the bike and falling on the road." Third time Since they were riding at full speed, the impact of the malfunction became such that he was thrown off the bike in another direction. His vehicle, meanwhile, fell near the direction of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai National Highway.

Merchant's bike is manufactured by the Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta, and retails for around R 20 lakh. According to his friends, since he bought it, he'd faced the same defect twice, which is an electric malfunction that jams the front tyre disc. He'd got it fixed and extended the vehicle's warranty till March 2019. He'd also written a Facebook post about the earlier issues he faced. However, the same defect occurred a third time, leading to his death.

Cause of death not known Another friend said, " We managed to bring an ambulance to the spot and took him to a government hospital on the highway, where he was declared dead on arrival. Looking at his body, doctors were shocked at not finding any external injuries." He had minor injuries on his head due to the impact of the fall. The cause of death has not been revealed as the post-mortem report is yet to be released. His friends suspect he died of internal bleeding.

This is the third time the MV Agusta 800 had allegedly malfunctioned.

While the case had initially been registered at the Virar police station, the matter has been transferred to the Manor police station as the incident occurred in their jurisdiction.

An officer from Virar police station said, "We have registered a case under section 304( a) ( death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code and various sections of the Motor Vehicles Act against unidentified accused." Motoroyale, the dealer from whom Merchant bought the bike, couldn't be reached for comment.

18 No. of bikers in Zoheb's group

3 No. of times his bike glitched

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Thane rural district's Navghar police are finally making the right noises following repeated complaints against noisy bikers by locals. The police have begun a heavy crackdown against bikers using modified silencers that create much noise, contributing to the already terrible noise pollution levels in the city.

The police are not just seizing such bikes but also destroying the modified silencers in front of their owners. More than 55 cases have been registered so far in this regard and more than 35 silencers have been destroyed in the last couple of weeks.

People living in Bhayander East have been forced to endure a cacophony of noises that the modified silencers or bikes with no silencers at all make. Also, patients admitted to nearby hospitals had complained to the local police on multiple occasions but no concrete action was taken so far.

Police fool violators
Action initiated against such bikers in the past has posed quite some challenge to the police who claim that if these bikers are followed, most of them speed away without a thought for their own lives or that of others. In such a situation, it is difficult to catch hold of them, said an officer of the Navghar police station. "We thus adopted a new method. We have formed a special team, members of which dress up as different people - beggars and godmen - and patrol areas around traffic signals to nab such bikers. The idea has worked so far," said PSI Vijay Takke from Navghar police station.

Locals have welcomed the move. "It is a nightmare for us as these bikes zip past our houses almost every day and it becomes extremely disturbing, more so for children and elderly people," said a local who had filed many complaints against errant bikers in the past. "The police action has now reduced the number of noisy bikers but the drive must not stop," he added.

55
No. of cases against errant bikers registered so far

35
No. of modified bike silencers destroyed so far

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Fancy cycling to the beautiful beaches of Gorai? Want to pedal away on roads lined with mangrove trees before you park your bike in front of sea-facing rocks? Then sign up for an event called Cycling- The Adventurous Islands of Mumbai. And apart from the exercise you get, you can also take in sights like the Golbal Vipassana Pagoda and Uttam Lighthouse.

ON March 3, 6 am to 1 pm
MEET AT Borivali Biryani Centre, Shimpoli Chikuwadi, Borivali West 
CALL 9833376765
Cost Rs 2,500 (for rented cycles)

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Pic Courtesy/Sameer Malhotra

Why am I biking so much? Maybe, because I work only as much as I need to," says actor Satyadeep Misra, who you will remember as Rosie's suitor Johnny from Bombay Velvet and TV series P.O.W. — Bandi Yuddh Ke, where he played a soldier. We are sitting at his Versova home talking about bikes over a glass of gin.

Kemmu and Misra's social media is full of riding clicks, including those taken outside Café Monza in Kharghar, where they ride down on Sundays. Pics/Instagram

The cupboard next to us in the living room, is topped with helmets, which he says will grow in number. If you follow Misra on Instagram, you know that over the last year, he has biked to Uttaranchal, Himachal, Goa, Nepal and Hampi. His biking friends include actor Kunal Kemmu, who will next be seen in Karan Johar's Kalank, and whose social media feed is also full of riding clicks. Some of these see him posing with his bike, and some are taken with Misra outside Café Monza in Kharghar, where they ride down early on most Sunday mornings for breakfast.

Satyadeep Misra

Misra has a Ducati Scrambler, and Kemmu used to have a MV Agusta Brutale 1090 RR, and now has a Ducati Scrambler too. Their retail indulgences include biking jackets, one helmet after another, gloves and of course, biking boots. "After the Uttaranchal trip, riding became a big part of my life. I wake up only thinking of riding. The question on my mind always is 'when is my next biking trip going to be?' I think I work, just so I can ride," says Misra.

Kunal Kemmu

Unlike Misra, who caught the bug last year, Kemmu harboured the dream of biking since school, because he thought it was "cool". "My uncle bought me a bike, but the day it got delivered, I was in college, and my father sent it back," he tells us. "I have always been a rider. But, it's only in the last six months that I have started to enjoy what it's all about. I have made friends with those who ride with me. And I have been getting all this gear that improves the riding experience," says the new father, who is quick to tell us that the one thing wife Soha Ali Khan tells him, is to be careful.

In Robert M Pirsig's Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, the author writes, "In a car, you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it, you don't realise that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame. On a cycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming."

When Misra speaks of riding on a bike, he compares the feeling to flying. "If you see my bike, which is an off-roader, it's high up there, and as you are sitting on it, you too are sort of squatting in air. So, when you are cruising along, it does feel like you are flying," he says. When we ask, what he thinks about when he rides, he says, "It's hard to think because you are focussed on the road. All your instincts are tuned to the road, and keeping the bike in control. But as you start doing it more, it gets easier to disconnect and ride. As I said, it's the closest I have come to flying."

For Kemmu, it started off by being about the sound, speed and how the bike looks. But, in recent times, he has felt it become a stress buster. "There are days when you will be stuck in traffic, and feeling baked in all that gear, but then, there will be days where it will be a breeze. The risk factor also adds to the romance. At the end of the day, it's about the relationship between man and machine, and that's priceless."

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Dear Diana,
My guy is obsessed with his bike. He cares more for it than me. When I started going out with him seven months ago, I use to enjoy the fun rides. We used to take off for long drives. It was a case of me, him and his bike. But over time, I got bored of the rides, especially after his bike broke down once in the middle of the night. We had to face some harrowing times till it was fixed. After this incident, I had told him I no longer wanted to go on those long bike rides. He then stopped asking me out and would go for a spin with his group of biker buddies. Initially, I was indifferent, but now it is getting to me. He has been spending more and more time with his pals than with me. We have been squabbling a lot over this, but he says that nothing can come in the way of his bike and him. He says he gives me time also so there is no reason to complain. I know he is hurt after the comments I passed about him and his bike. His behaviour towards me changed. What do I do now? Tell him to choose between me and his bike?
– Prachi

Dear Prachi,
It is clear that your boyfriend is hurt. It is a guy thing and he feels you will not understand his obsession for bikes. If you feel you went overboard in your resentment for his love for his bike, why don't you apologise? Or talk things out and settle the issue in an amicable way. This will also enable him to strike a balance between you, his bike and his buddies. Also, you were well aware of his love for bikes since the time you two got together, so there is no point cribbing now. Learn to live with it.

In a hair-raising video making rounds of social media, an elephant was seen charging on two bikers, forcing them to abandon their vehicles and run away. The video shared on Twitter by forest officer Susanta Nanda that was filmed by a user shows the bikers, ignoring the instructions given by the forest as they tried to cross the roads at the time as the elephant.

The user who filmed the video Sreedhar V, said while posting the video, "These two-wheeler riders did not listen to FD staff and decided to go ahead while elephants were crossing and got charged at." Nanda tweeted while sharing the video, "Gently saying no. Enough is enough. When the elephant is with calf, the gentle giant can be a real giant."

Gently saying no. Enough is enough.
When the elephant is with calf, the gentle giant can be a real giant. pic.twitter.com/401n5IEFb5

— Susanta Nanda IFS (@susantananda3) April 29, 2020

The video, shared on Wednesday garnered more than 6,500 views on Twitter with 609 likes and was retweeted 129 times. Users commenting on the video posted on how man-animal conflict puts human beings and animals in danger.

Sir Notice the gentleness. Elephant in no way was trying to harm but only tried to scare off the people to protect its calf and after creating a safe distance left on its way. Elephants are 💜

— Sam (@TheRealSam_02) April 29, 2020

How did the rider come from the left to right? Is there a smaller road merging with the Main Road there?
Or was the rider trying to overtake the elephant, and lost control due to panic ðŸ¤Â”ðŸ¤Â” बà¤Âš à¤Â—à¤Â दà¥Â‹नà¥Â‹à¤Â‚ 😂😂

— @ul V (@AttulV) April 29, 2020

Narrow escape😱😱

— Tapan panda (@coolkitu) April 29, 2020

Lucky escape

— Ethiraja Sadaiyandi (@modhakethi) April 29, 2020

Such gentle wisdom in such a huge creature .. will not harm wilfully.. stupid humans shd realise that they need their space esp when she’s with her calf .. #universalFierceMother but still just scaring them away not trampling them

— Jaisree C (@cjaisree) April 29, 2020

What do you think about the video?

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news

Ahead of her first trip to India, biker Leslie Porterfield, the world's fastest woman on two wheels, relives her record, worst crash and the growing number of Indian women on the riding circuit

At 16, Texas-based Leslie Porterfield bought a Yamaha Virago 1000, her first motorcycle, as an inexpensive mode of transport. It arrived in a box, and most people told her she wouldn't be able to get it running. However, she bought a manual, sought the advice of local mechanics, and put it together.

Leslie Porterfield

In fact, Porterfield loved riding it so much that just a year later, she went on to buy a sports bike (Honda CBR600). This was in the early '90s. "That's when my interest in racing began," recalls the 41-year-old mother of twins. She holds the Guinness World Record for being the fastest woman in the world on a motorcycle, which she set in 2008 with a speed of 232.522mph at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.

On November 24 and 25, Porterfield will be in Goa for the fifth edition of India Bike Week, a fest that will witness a gathering of over 20,000 bikers to celebrate all things riding. Here, she will host a motorcycle stand and present awards for various achievements. Excerpts from an email interview:

Tell us about your most interesting motorcycle journeys.
Motorcycles gave me a sense of freedom and connection with nature while riding. One of my favourite trips was to the Baja 1000 (off-road race in Mexico's Baja California Peninsula) in 2005. I was on a dirt bike for the first time, and realised how difficult the race is. I went through 20 miles of deep sand whoops and fell 20 times. I have never been so sore. Another one is from the time I was 17, when I rode for 1,500 miles from Dallas to Los Angeles. On my way back, I was tired. I was riding at about 120mph. Unfortunately, I passed a police car and didn't see it. They set up a roadblock on the highway. When I stopped, I realised there were four police cars behind me. They were mad after chasing me for so long. I was lucky; the officer let me go without a citation. This prompted me to hit the racetrack.

What challenges have you faced in your racing career?
During my first year [2007] in Land Speed Racing [at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah], the salt was in poor condition - wet, sludgy and hard to get traction. My bike got into a speed wobble at over 200mph. I tried to save it, but ended up coming off the bike at over 100mph. It was the worst wreck I've been in. I was unconscious, with seven broken ribs and a punctured lung. Fortunately, I recovered and made a point of testing different set-ups for the bike. I didn't push myself to make runs when conditions were bad. Racing comes with risks, which I try to minimise.

How did you crack the world record in Utah in 2008?
I had to make an effort to not think about what could go wrong, and put the accident out of my mind. I focused solely on what I needed to do to achieve my record. To set a land speed record, you have to make two runs — one in each direction - holding your top speed for a mile. My bike's engine was hot and as I entered the measured mile at full throttle, it started to sound rough. By the end, I had set the record but blown my engine, and there was oil everywhere!

What's your take on Indian motorcycle culture?
It's fascinating. The selection of motorcycles is vast, and I love that more women in India are riding motorcycles now. When I started in the '90s, men dominated the speed and racing scene; it was difficult for women to break into it.

Is Mumbai part of your itinerary?
I hope to see it during my visit. It is such a diverse city with much history. I've wanted to visit India for some time. I can't wait to experience its architecture, art, culture and beauty. I love Indian food, but have tried it only in America.

What kind of bikes do you ride now?
I have a Honda CBR1000, and several classic bikes from the '60s. I enjoy restoring old bikes. They aren't very fast, but they are a lot of fun.

Tips
>> Invest in proper motorcycle gear.
>> Never quit learning. Take up rider courses. Even if you have no desire to race, a day on the track with guidance will make you a better and safer rider.

Veteran India wicketkeeper-batsman and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni seems to be enjoying his quality time back at his lavish farmhouse located in Ranchi.

MS Dhoni's wife Sakshi Dhoni apparently shared ain Instagram Live video in which Mahi can be seen giving his daughter Ziva a ride on a motorbike in their farmhouse. 

The video was also shared by MS Dhoni's Indian Premier League (IPL) team Chennai Super Kings on Twitter immediately after it went viral. CSK went on to caption the photo with some fun play of words: "Thala Suthifying, literally. #WhistlePodu VC: @SakshiSRawat."

Thala Suthifying, literally! 😍ðŸ¦ÂðŸ’› #WhistlePodu VC: @SaakshiSRawat pic.twitter.com/0xpOxVoVET

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2020

Sakshi Dhoni had also shared a cute photo of herself and MS Dhoni during lockdown as she playfully goes to lick his toes while he was immersed in his mobile phone.

In normal circumstances, MS Dhoni would have been currently leading three-time champions CSK in the 13th edition of the IPL. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the cash-rich league has been postponed indefinitely by the BCCI.

The former captain's participation at this year's T20 World Cup remains in doubt as he hasn't played international cricket since India's defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final last year.

Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news

Players can earn rewards with Biker missions until May 13.

These FT Future 100 UK businesses are building sustainability into their model

After lockdown, start-ups will need to work with city authorities to keep cars off the roads