It is her most favoured possession. It gives her a sense of liberation, of being in control of her immediate environment. Yep, we are talking of that special relationship between urban women and two-wheelers

She is in control and holds on to her prized possession with warmth. Over the years it has become a symbol of independence and liberation to lakhs of women. Welcome to the new world of urban woman where her must haves include a lot more than shoes, cosmetics or even the fancy mobile. It is something that is crucial for her independence, security and a feeling of being in control of her environment. A two-wheeler counts on being one of her most valued possession in life, something which she is not ready to give up even if she can afford to buy a four-wheeler.

When you ask Yeshashwini Dattatreya, a young working woman on her relation with the two wheeler she uses, instant comes the reply, “I cannot step out my home without my two-wheeler. Even on the day I have given the vehicle for servicing, I land up borrowing someone else’s two-wheeler from the family and move around.”

A city like Bangalore is almost incomplete in its description if one would not mention about the increasing number of women who ride two wheelers to college or work places. It is not only these two segments who use two- wheelers.

A lot of homemakers use it as the major form of their conveyance. Take for instance, N Prathibha, a homemaker who is a great fan of her Honda. For her it is the most comfortable thing in her life as she can use it for varied purposes. She adds, ” Even if tomorrow efficient public transport like the metro rail comes, my use with the two-wheeler will not get limited. Having to even buy vegetables or groceries by walk is a constraint, however it is a time saving proposition if I use my two wheeler.”

Speaking about her association with her two-wheeler Dr Veena Maheshwari, a dentist says ” I have been using my two wheeler since the last eighteen years. If I can phrase it, ‘It is like an aeroplane on the road’. For me it is difficult to use any other mode of transport in a city like Bangalore. Though we have a car at home, I dread to think of using it as I have to hunt for parking spaces and to travel in buses means I have to move around according to the bus timings, which is not acceptable. And I do not have very pleasant experiences with autos, so it is best to stick to my two wheeler by which I do not have to depend on anyone.”

Recognising the need of women using two wheelers, manufactures are tapping this space by providing varied and easy to use and maintain features in two wheelers such as storage space, easy handling and lightweight, which are critical for a woman rider.

Needless to say, the two-wheeler segment has a lot of players amongst which prominent are the Kinetic Nova, Honda Activa and the popular Scooty series. Taking the women riders seriously, Hero Honda entered this segment last year with Hero Honda Pleasure and has even come out with ‘Just 4 her’ showrooms. The ‘fairer sex’ does not have choices limited to lipsticks, shoes or handbags. Today, women have the choice to purchase a two-wheeler that can match even their streaked hair.

Whether it is independence, convenience or comfort, all of these matter to the urban woman and no matter what authorities say about roads getting more crammed with vehicles, Bangalore needs to gear up as increasing number of women use their two-wheeler akin to their personal belonging in life. So until women are really convinced to switch to some other mode of transport, enjoy the ride and zoom…away!