Sustainable mobility: strengthening India’s bicycle industry

The Indian bicycle industry that comprises almost 4000 micro, small and medium enterprises is undergoing a shift towards advanced models and a wider variety of bicycles, including electric bicycles as a sustainable transportation mode. However, despite its immense manufacturing and export potential, the industry is mainly domestic market-oriented and has to rely on imports of key components.

Since 2017, the UNIDO has focused on the implementation of much-needed technological upgrading and capacity-building initiatives to boost the industry’s performance towards enhancing its competitiveness and bringing this cost-effective, environment-friendly and healthy mobility option closer to people – both within the country and abroad. Within the project, UNIDO addressed several issues, including quality control standards and testing for bicycles and components; patents & IP rights, design & finite element analysis, e-bikes, lighter materials used for bicycles, etc. UNIDO also contributed to the operationalization of testing facilities as per RoHS and REACH directives to support manufacturers in meeting international market requirements, including a reflector testing facility at the Research and Development Centre for Bicycle and Sewing Machine (RDCBSM).

Supported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the project has thus strengthened institutional capacities of the Indian bicycle industry, which is highly instrumental in boosting its global competitiveness and promoting sustainable mobility.

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For more information: Mr. Farrukh Alimdjanov(F.Alimdjanov [at] unido.org (F[dot]Alimdjanov[at]unido[dot]org))