CHENNAI: A few days ago, when actor Vijay was seen cycling as part of his political campaign, it didn’t just grab attention; it quietly brought cycling back into public conversation. For many riders across Tamil Nadu, it was a rare moment of visibility for something they practise every day, often unnoticed.
We spoke to cyclists across the state to understand how cycling culture is steadily growing as a fitness routine, a lifestyle choice, and for some, even a daily necessity.
For 63-year-old John Kennedy, a former police officer, cycling is now central to his fitness journey. He prefers routes like the Inner Ring Road and Outer Ring Road, where the varying elevations allow for interval training. “The ups and downs are perfect for high-intensity workouts. It helps improve heart rate and stamina,” he says. His cycling journey began 13 years ago, when he turned 50. “It felt like going back to my school days,” he recalls with a smile.
What started as a nostalgic return soon became a disciplined practice. John began participating in endurance rides, learning more about technique, posture and training methods. “There is a right way to cycle: your posture, positioning, and balance matter a lot. It may seem simple, but it makes a big difference,” he explains.
For Dr Jagadish Ramasamy, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry at AIIMS Madurai, cycling has been part of his life for over a decade. “I started cycling for fitness in 2013 when I joined CMC Vellore for my MD,” he says. Initially riding within the campus, he gradually expanded his routes, taking on uphill rides to Balamathi.
When he moved to Ramanathapuram in 2021 to work at AIIMS Madurai’s temporary campus, cycling became part of his daily commute. “I stayed close to the institute, so I cycled about five kilometres every day,” he says. Later, in Madurai, he joined a cycling club, which introduced him to a larger network of riders and group events.
What stood out to him was the growing cycling culture beyond metro cities. “I used to think cycling was more common in big cities. But Madurai has a very active community,” he says. Regular group rides, heritage cycling trips and participation from riders across cities like Coimbatore highlight the enthusiasm.
Community plays a big role in promoting cycling. “Whenever I have doubts, I share them with the group and there is always someone ready to help. It keeps you motivated,” he tells us.
However, like John, he emphasises the issue of safety. “I usually cycle early in the morning when traffic is less. Roads are not always cyclist-friendly. The lack of dedicated cycling tracks remains a major barrier. If there were proper lanes, more people would take it up confidently,” he notes. Post-pandemic, he has seen a noticeable rise in people turning to cycling. “After Covid, many started focusing on fitness and cycling picked up,” he says.
Across Tamil Nadu, cycling is slowly gaining ground. Whether it is for fitness, community, or convenience, more people are choosing to get on two wheels. But for this movement to truly grow, riders say, it needs more than enthusiasm; it needs safer roads, better awareness and space in the city’s everyday life.