Bikes are a necessary part of our daily lives. 74% of the vehicles driven on Indian roads are two-wheelers, highlighting how integral they are to India. We use our bikes to fetch groceries from the market, commute to work, and even drop people off at the railway station. With the booming e-commerce and food delivery markets, bike usage in India is expected to grow even further.
Bikes need regular maintenance to function optimally. Even upgrading them with small gadgets can help improve the biking experience. With air pollution and fuel prices at all-time highs, we should also consider what would help our bikes become more eco-friendly. While some solutions, like buying electric vehicles, are obvious, they are not affordable for everyone. We give you some easy tips to make your bike smart and eco-friendly.
How to Make Your Bike Smart and Eco-Friendly?
Ensure Regular Emission Checks
Did you know that a two-wheeler emits the same amount of carbon dioxide as a car when you factor in city and highway driving? This is 300 grams of CO2 per kilometre, which is staggering. With the rising effects of global warming like unexpected rains, sudden shifts in weather and flooding in the mountains, the urgency of being more eco-friendly has never been as high.
Each human on the planet needs to do more to ensure that life on earth sustains. So what’s the smallest thing we can do?
Carry out regular emission checks to ensure the bike is within the permissible limits. If you don’t carry a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, you can be fined INR 1000 for the first offence and INR 2000 for subsequent offences.
An emission test checks the emission of your bike, specifically looking for any harmful gases released. Once the vehicle passes this test, you get a PUC certificate which can be produced on demand. The test can be done at several places at nominal costs, so it’s recommended that you get your bikes tested.
The PUC certificate is valid for a year when issued for the first time. You have to repeat this test every 6 months to get a certificate for subsequent times.
If you haven’t already, check the PUC certificate of your bike, and make sure you schedule regular emission tests to avoid fines and help prevent damage to the environment.
Buy or Renew Your Two-wheeler Insurance
Even though it seems counter-intuitive, having an insurance policy does make your bike smarter. In the unlikely event of some damage caused to your bike, you will have the peace of mind that your bike insurance company would offset some costs.
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, makes it mandatory to have at least a third-party bike insurance policy. To be monetarily secure, you can go a step further and buy a comprehensive insurance policy.
With a comprehensive policy, you can also get protection against natural disasters, damage due to theft, strike, war, etc. Nowadays, many companies give you a no-claim bonus for your bike insurance renewal, which reduces your insurance premium.
While buying an insurance policy can seem overwhelming, the procedure is actually very simple. You can compare several policies online before deciding which one to buy. As a result, there’s no talking to middlemen, enabling you to save on agent fees.
Load Your Bike with Gadgets That Make Your Life Easier
Several gadgets in the market can help you make your bike smart and eco-friendly. They allow you to do several things, from maintaining fuel economy to reminding you about upcoming bike servicing and even helping you keep your bikes safe.
Let’s look at some of these gadgets in more detail.
Smart Helmets
Nowadays, helmets are getting smarter, offering connectivity to our phones. This means you can pick up phone calls when driving without stopping by the side of the road. With tons of styles and types available, a good helmet can add to your style while keeping you always connected.
Phone Holders
Under the Motor Vehicles Act, using a mobile phone while riding a bike is punishable. You might get fined INR 5000 or more if caught using a phone. Using your phones while on your bike is also unsafe because it can distract you.
But phones are unavoidable parts of our lives. To use your phones safely while riding a bike, you can plug them into a phone holder hooked to your dashboard. This way, you can continue to see the directions to your destination on your phone while not getting distracted. Modern phone holders also offer charging ports, which you can use to charge your phones if your journey is long.
Bike Maintenance Apps
Many bike manufacturers nowadays offer phone apps to stay connected. This is especially helpful in emergencies where you need roadside assistance. If you have the contact of the nearest garage, you can connect with it instantly through your phone and get the help you need.
Many bike companies also offer community experiences through their apps. These communities often have meet-ups, planned tours, and practical tips to improve your bike. These can be a great way to ask questions about your motorcycle to fellow bike owners and learn from them.
Secure Your Bike with Bluetooth Locks
Bikes are one of the most significant investments we make. Yet, we don’t invest enough in their safety. Apart from the engine lock that bikes come with, we don’t add anything else to keep our vehicles safe. This is where Bluetooth locks could help.
A Bluetooth lock can help you unlock your bike using your phone. You don’t need to keep a separate set of keys, and the lock can be fixed directly to your bike's disc, thus preventing anyone from moving the bike from its place.
These locks also alert you on your phone instantly if there’s suspicious activity detected with your bike.
Conclusion
Our bikes are one of the most prized possessions we have. We also need to care for the environment to ensure we don't damage it. The tips above can make your motorbike smart and keep the environment clean.
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