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The capital city has so much to offer, from stunning historic architecture to narrow lanes with some of the best street foods in the country! And if you’re looking for adventure in and around the city, exploring Delhi on your cycle is a splendid idea. The question of “Where can I go bicycling in Delhi?” must have crossed your mind, and whether you should do it at all. So, here are some places where you can cycle around Delhi and enjoy the city in a different way!
This is among the more iconic localities of Delhi and home to many prominent personalities. But what will attract a cyclist here are the broad lanes along with service roads which make cycling very easy and convenient. Unlike the rest of the city, the traffic here is still tolerable!
In addition to this, a 6-km stretch of road in Lutyens’ Delhi from Jor Bagh Metro Station to Bikaner House has been declared a cycling corridor. This means that a section of the road will be reserved only for cyclists for a couple of hours during the day and evening both.
Located near the Qutub Minar, Sanjay Van is a patch of wilderness that acts as Delhi’s green lung. So this is an ideal spot for you to get out of the city’s chaos and pollution.
Sanjay Van is also a great spot for cycling in Delhi. You can pedal along the wide gravel jogging track in the park if you’re looking for a casual and easy-level cycling. But go off-track, and you’ll be in for off-road adventures cycling your way through inclines. Also, you can climb up one of the many watchtowers in Sanjay Van and drink in the views of the wilderness.
Also read: Cycling Tour Of Old Delhi
This route is popular among the cyclists in Delhi and if you’re up (and physically prepared) for a 65-kilometer loop, you should go for it!
Given the length of this circuit, you want to pace yourself. Take your time to enjoy the sights and sounds as you pedal your way out of the city to villages and green spaces. You’ll be passing through the Najafgarh Wetlands as well, so you’ll get to do a bit of bird watching as well. Also, you need not worry about traffic while on this circuit, especially if you set out early.
This forest is about 56 km away from the heart of Delhi at its border with Haryana. Of late, Mangar Bani has started picking up traction among Delhiites looking for a weekend getaway.
Speaking of cycling, the trail in Mangar Bani is only for intermediate to professional cyclists. The rugged Aravalli terrain makes for a thrilling but difficult off-road cycling adventure. You’re also likely to end up in spots where you can’t even pedal and carry your cycle to proceed. Be prepared to deal with punctured tires and don’t forget to carry enough water and energy bars to keep your strength up.
Also Read: 1 Day Walking Tour Of Old Delhi: Best Places To Cover
If you want to cycle around Delhi while getting in touch with nature, why not head out to the Najafgarh Wetlands?
It’s about 43 km away from Delhi and has sparse pedestrian and vehicular traffic. So you can pedal your way about in these wetlands in peace. Apart from the miles you’ve to munch to get here, the road through the Najafgarh Wetlands is flat and so it’ll be a smooth ride.
If you’re a bird enthusiast, you have to make the trip to Najafgarh Wetlands especially in the winter months because you’ll get to see a lot of migratory birds.
This stretch of road, which spans about 35 km, is popular among runners, cyclists, and motorcycle riders alike. If you’re a cyclist who’s looking for a place to train on a smooth road that has multiple uphill and downhill sections, this route is the one for you.
Just as much as this highway can be challenging for a new cyclist, the Gurgaon to Faridabad route is pleasing to the eye as well. You’ll be granted great views of the rocky hills of the Aravalli and the cover of trees on both sides of the road.
Given how popular and ideal this road is for cyclists, plans are being made to develop a dedicated cycling track on the Gurgaon to Faridabad road!
Also Read: Guided Tour To The Best Shopping Markets In Delhi
This location is perfect for a Delhiite who’s just getting started with off-road cycling. The Aravalli Biodiversity Park is located in Gurgaon, about 37 km away from Delhi.
The park has tracks that are built specifically for cycling. As you go deeper in the park, you’ll find enough off-road trails to follow as well. While there may be a few inclines along the trail, you’ll find that the major part of the trail is going downhill. If you’re taking a breather, make sure to look out for the many birds that flock to Aravalli Biodiversity Park.
While you’re on the Gurgaon-Faridabad road, you can also consider visiting the Tughlaqabad Fort. You’ll get to cycle along some difficult off-road terrain and marvel at the grandeur of the fort.
Tughlaqabad Fort was built in the 14th century and is now surrounded by important biodiversity hotspots. So you can get to explore the wildlife of the area even as you’re pedaling through the uneven terrain of the Aravalli.
This lake is located in the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary and about 46 km away from Delhi. It’s a man-made lake that was accidentally formed when unchecked mining resulted in groundwater and rainwater collecting in it.
This isn’t the only lake in this wildlife sanctuary – there are about 7 of them. If you’re looking for off-road cycling, set out towards Bhardwaj Lake. The uneven and rugged terrain, which is about 20-25 km long, would present an exciting challenge for you.
However, you need to keep in mind that this area isn’t safe and the locals may not take kindly to your explorations. While you gaze at the many birds that can be easily spotted here, watch out for monkeys who’ll try to steal your food!
Is Delhi Cycle Friendly?
Delhi is not particularly known to be a cycling-friendly city, but there are some spots where you can indulge in this activity. In addition to that, efforts are being made to make Delhi more cycling-friendly.
Is Cycling For 30 Minutes A Day?
Cycling for at least 30 minutes a day is definitely a healthy form of workout and is recommended. Pair that with a healthy diet and you’ll see some wonderful results!
How Can I Rent A Cycle In Delhi?
If you don’t have a cycle but would still like to pedal away through the streets of Delhi, you can rent one at quite affordable prices. Here are some bicycle rentals in Delhi:
Rent Set Go: Located in Karol Bagh, this will be your one-stop-shop for renting pretty much everything including cameras, motorcycles, and of course, bicycles.
Planet Green Bikes: This app-based cycle rental is in 14 locations across Delhi. All you need to do is register yourself on the app, scan the QR code at the dock to unlock a bike, and then return it. It’ll cost you INR 100 for registration and you’ll have to add a minimum of INR 100 to your account. The first 30 minutes are free and every subsequent hour would cost you an additional INR 10.
Green Ride: Just like Planet Green Bikes, Green Ride is an app-based cycle rental that services 13 locations in Delhi, primarily the Metro stations. Renting a cycle from Green Ride would cost you just INR 10 for an hour.
Is Cycle Allowed In Sanjay Van?
Yes! Cycling is indeed allowed in Sanjay Van. In fact, there’s over 20 km of cycling trails in this patch of wilderness.
Do Traffic Rules Apply To Cyclists?
Traffic rules concerning cyclists in India are a bit on the more ambiguous side. But it’s encouraged to obey traffic signals, keep to the left side of the road or use the dedicated cycle track if available.
Why Would Cycling Be Difficult In Delhi Roads?
Cycling would be difficult on Delhi’s roads because of high vehicular traffic, overcrowded streets, and a lack of dedicated cycling lanes.
Do Bikes Pay Tolls In India?
No. Two-wheelers are exempted from paying tolls in India. One can pass through the booth from the leftmost lane.
What Is Famous Food In Delhi?
When you’re in Delhi, you simply can’t miss the parathas, golgappas, chole bhature, kebabs, and butter chicken. The ones with a sweet tooth must try the kulfis, rabri faloodas and jalebis.
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