Indian cities are among the most traffic-clogged in the world, and that has direct consequences for productivity, health, and quality of life. According to the TomTom Traffic Index for 2024–25, Bengaluru tops the list, where the average commuter spends 34 minutes 10 seconds per 10 km, translating into roughly 117 hours lost annually to congestion. Pune comes third globally at 33 minutes 22 seconds per 10 km, or about 108 hours lost each year. Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi also clock significant delays, with New Delhi commuters losing around 76 hours annually. Another study notes that, on average, Indian workers devote 8.6 percent of their waking hours, around 754 hours or 68 working days per year, to commuting. The sheer scale of these delays also aggravates air pollution and road stress, leaving few viable alternatives beyond systemic change.
This context sets the stage for a simple but effective solution: electric bicycles, or e-bikes. By combining the freedom of pedal cycling with electric assist, they sidestep gridlock while offering clean, efficient, and adaptable urban travel.
Urban Congestion in India: A High-Stakes Challenge
Urban expansion, affordable vehicle ownership, and inadequate public transport have created a cycle of longer trips and lower speeds. In Delhi, average trip distances have surged from 6 km to nearly 11 km as residents move to city fringes. In Bengaluru alone, over 300,000 private vehicles were registered between January and June 2025, saturating roads despite the city’s Metro and BMTC bus network. The result: more time wasted, more stress, and rising emissions.
E-Bikes as a Smart Solution
E-bikes combine the freedom of cycling with the ease of electric assistance, offering a practical, future-ready alternative to congested city travel. They allow commuters to bypass traffic bottlenecks, maintain a consistent pace, and cover longer distances, without the sweat, strain, or frustration often associated with traditional cycling.
In cities like Bangalore, e-bike adoption has already shown promising results, with daily commute times dropping by up to 25%, a change that has particularly appealed to time-conscious urban professionals. On a global scale, replacing car trips with e-bikes can cut emissions per trip by over 90%, depending on the electricity source and energy mix. Cities that have invested in e-bike infrastructure have reported notable reductions in both air pollution and noise levels.
If scaled effectively in India, e-bikes hold transformative potential. Studies suggest they could remove more than 40 million private vehicles, including cars and two-wheelers, from Indian roads, dramatically easing congestion and environmental stress.
Environmental Benefits
E-bikes present a significant leap toward sustainable urban mobility. Producing only about 5 grams of CO₂ per mile, compared to 274 grams for cars and 140 grams for public transit, they represent a clear pathway to cleaner air and healthier cities. Beyond emissions, their smaller batteries and lighter frames demand fewer raw materials and consume less energy during production, minimising the resource footprint when compared to electric cars or scooters. This efficiency extends to daily use, making e-bikes not only greener but also more sustainable over their lifecycle. Their environmental impact goes beyond what’s visible in the air. Operating almost silently, e-bikes contribute to quieter, more liveable neighborhoods, an overlooked quality-of-life improvement for densely populated areas.
Affordability and Accessibility
E-bikes offer a distinct cost advantage over electric scooters and cars, both in terms of purchase price and ongoing expenses. Operational and maintenance costs are minimal, making them a financially viable choice for a wide range of urban commuters. Their convenience extends to charging as well; most models can be powered through a standard wall socket at home, eliminating the need for specialised charging infrastructure.
This combination of affordability and ease of use broadens access to electric mobility. For many in cities, particularly those unable to invest in more expensive electric vehicles, e-bikes provide an attainable step into sustainable transport without compromising on reliability or convenience.
India-Specific Relevance
India’s complex urban sprawl and diverse road conditions demand a transit solution that is both adaptable and robust. E-bikes fit naturally into this landscape. They excel in last-mile connectivity, bridging the gap between public transit hubs and final destinations, especially in areas where feeder systems remain underdeveloped. Their design and build make them well-suited to the country’s realities: navigating potholes, negotiating mixed traffic, and slipping through narrow lanes where larger vehicles struggle.
Beyond function, e-bikes have the potential to drive a cultural shift in urban mobility. By blending practicality with environmental consciousness, they can help transform cycling in India from a necessity into a lifestyle choice, one that aligns personal convenience with a modern, eco-aware urban identity.
Founder’s Insight (in the voice of Sahil Uttekar)
Designing for India’s realities means balancing style with substance. Durability, against heat, rain, rough roads; efficiency, in battery and motor; and user appeal, modern looks without pretension, are crucial to driving adoption. E-bikes must feel as reliable as other two-wheelers yet offer a silent, emission-free ride. When they fit into daily routines, from desk to doorstep, they become more than transport; they become choice.
Looking Ahead: Integration & Infrastructure
For e-bikes to truly scale, they must be embedded within a broader, well-connected mobility ecosystem. Integrating them with public transport, whether by allowing e-bikes on buses and local trains or incorporating them into park-and-ride systems, can significantly extend their reach. Complementary cycling infrastructure, such as dedicated lanes, secure parking, and low-speed zones, will help normalise their use and ensure rider safety. Equally important is policy support: targeted incentives, subsidies, and standardised charging guidelines, even for home use, can build public trust and accelerate adoption. Ultimately, this is more than an upgrade in hardware; it is a step toward people-friendly cities, places where commuting becomes less of a daily battle and more of a quiet, clean, and productive rhythm.
Conclusion
Urban congestion in India is costly, not just in time, but in health, environment, and efficiency. E-bikes offer a pragmatic, immediate way to address that burden. They reduce emissions, costs, and stress. Designed for India’s conditions and integrated into urban mobility strategies, they carry the potential to transform daily commutes from ordeal to opportunity. The future of urban mobility is quiet, clean, and on two wheels—and e-bikes are leading the way.
