Bicycles in India play a wide variety of roles - all of them very practical. They offer a way to transport people and cargo from one place to another, as well as providing enhanced abilities to move weighty objects. After all, a bike can carry far more than a single person, and yet one person can move and steer the load. Just think of rickshaws.

Three basic cargo movers are found across India. The first option is a sturdy and utilitarian bicycle. These traditional bikes have very few accessories and offer one speed only. Going up hills is reliant on human muscle power alone. Equipped with fenders, brakes, kickstand, and chain guard, the basics are there. Compare these features to many new North American bikes, which tend to lack fenders and large chain guards. These standard bicycles often feature large racks that can double as a cargo carrier or passenger seat. As many as three smaller people can be squeezed on the back. Each delivery person can modify the bike suitably to accommodate the particular cargo, from eggs to milk to ice. The complication is that carrying heavy loads requires substantial leg strength and balance with these models.

The second option is a tricycle style. In order to give the frame additional strength, structural tubes may be doubled. Wheels are often rebar welded to the hub and rims, with wide tires. The chain and drivetrain are extremely basic. But the result is utilitarian, able to transport bulky and heavy loads. Additional modifications can allow benches or chairs to replace the rear platform, forming a simple rickshaw for transporting either family members or paying passengers.

The third model is a reverse tricycle, where cargo is carried in front of the driver and handlebars. The configuration is highly manoeuvrable, making reverse trikes more useful in cities. Typical applications include propane delivery.

Some companies hope to modernize these vehicles, offering motorized versions. However, the ongoing global petroleum issue, as well as concerns about emissions, make these newer models less appealing. As motor vehicles increase, bicycle and tricycle safety is reduced. However, an engine does alleviate the need for lighter frames and stronger legs.

Developing countries share the same pressures - to match the technology and pace of more industrialized nations. It is ironic that just as motorized vehicles are touted in one part of the world, going back to cycling and other petroleum-free modes is gaining popularity elsewhere. With supportive infrastructure to provide roadways for cargo and passenger cycles, most urban areas would benefit from a car-free option.