From cycling to carpooling, adapting to the ‘new normal’ for Sri Lankans
Mohamed Shafwan
With the spike in fuel prices and endless long queues in petrol sheds, many young commuters are turning to alternatives to get to work. This week the Mirror Magazine spoke to a few who have taken to cycling and carpooling.
Cycling
After spending endless frustrating hours searching for fuel many have decided to switch to the bicycle. #Cyclingtowork became a popular hashtag on social media as many shared how they have adapted to the current situation by using bicycles as a mode of travel for work and a general mode of getting about.
Malique Pakeer, a business consultant by profession, started cycling to stay fit during the pandemic period which has now come as an added advantage with the fuel crisis. By switching to the two-wheelers from four, he has adapted to a contrastingly different lifestyle. He wakes up earlier than usual and travels an average of 30km daily. For Malique he sees the added benefit apart from health, as fewer parking issues and less time wasted waiting in fuel queues.
Yet the exercise doesn’t come without its challenges he tells the Mirror Magazine, including facing poor road infrastructure, road rage, and tolerating harsh weather conditions. Malique has taken special note on the days with bad weather to leave home earlier to avoid it.
Delivery platform, Uber Eats, recently got into the cycling scene as well with dispatch riders mounting electric bikes. For Mohamed Shafwan, the development was a chance to take advantage of a lifelong hobby. While he works, as an Assistant Manager and as a student reading for his master’s degree, he has allocated some time in his schedule to cycle for Uber Eats’ deliveries.
He joined the platform to test the market and study the adaptations taken by drivers to sustain their livelihood. Being a passionate cycler, this was an opportunity for him to live up to the mantra, doing what you love and loving what you do. He often uses his social media platforms to educate on his journey cycling for Uber Eats and to create an awareness in the life of the delivery drivers.
Malique Pakeer
Mohamed says he is determined to continue cycling even if the fuel crisis is resolved or maybe even upgrade to a hybrid cycle. For him, cycling is an opportunity to achieve his daily fitness goals all while saving money, as he says “I think everyone, who can should give cycling a try. It would be a bit difficult as with anything initially, but it’s fun and satisfying both physically and mentally.”
Carpooling
Another means of getting around being explored is carpooling. PatpatGO became one of the platforms that introduced this concept in recent times using their mobile app. They are an official brand of Unitech Labs Limited. Being a local mobility service provider, they introduced the carpool feature along with the delivery and taxi services with the start of the fuel crisis. The feature connects passengers with drivers according to the vacant seats for a price that is well below the mode of public transportation.
However, the role of carpooling is not just limited to a group of people reaching a destination together. The method holds many benefits, as it plays the role of multiple vehicles to just one vehicle. Its major advantage is the cost-saving on fuel, if carpooling was used more often the fuel consumption, in general, could be curtailed.
“The world is demanding sustainability, so we were not hesitant to implement carpooling which is one of the most effective forms of mobility in the modern era to reduce fuel consumption,” says Mr.Sudaraka Silva, Manager Mobility Growth.
“To a country that is a novice to the term, introducing the concept of carpooling was a bit of a challenge, PatpatGO implemented its carpooling feature by organizing categories of cars, vans, and motorcycles along with the available vacant seats for each vehicle. It can be intimidating to travel with strangers; therefore, the app has included safety options such as OTP secured meetup location, ladies-only ride-sharing mode, and smoking-free and music filtering free rides”, says Aneef Fashir Chief Technical officer.
Customers can use their carpooling services via the mobile app from Google play store and Apple App store.
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