New Delhi, June 2 -- Anthony, a fruit seller in Chennai's KK Nagar, has cycled all his life and never learnt to ride a motor vehicle. His home is just a stone's throw from his fruit stall, so cycling isn't much of a hassle. However, he has to ride with extreme caution on the main road, as speeding motor vehicles often endanger cyclists like him. "I hope to see more cycling tracks laid in Chennai to make my commute smoother and safer," he told Down To Earth (DTE).

Just a few kilometres away is Shekar, who sells old goods. He, too, has been cycling since childhood and lives only 0.5 km from his stall. "I've become accustomed to the heavy traffic on main roads. Despite the risks, I prefer cycling because it's good for my health," he said, ...