Bicycles for women labourers

Around Delhi/ NCR region many women workers of various factories have shown their interest to use cycles for commuting from their houses to factories. It all started with few women workers of factories, who by using cycle, tried to save Rs. 600 to Rs. 900 per month for transport services. Sometime, they walk long distances to get to their workplaces or have to instead spend Rs 600-900(10% of their wages) on ‘transportation facilities’ provided by the factories, only to be herded in groups in unsafe tempo trucks.

There are more than one lakh workers in capital region. On a pilot basis, we want to give 2 new bicycles. We hope to provide 5,00 bicycles and plan to approach different entities, including the Government. Through this initiative, these women are demanding what is rightfully theirs – access to safe, empowering and accessible transport. These funds will be utilised to provide bicycles for low-income women labourers.

Workers of factories normally earn between Rs. 9,000 and Rs. 12,500 per month, so saving Rs. 600 to Rs. 900 is big for them. We hope to raise enough funds for 5000 bicycles. ‘Women are going to feel confident that they are not dependent on others and can do their own work’.