Bicycles for a Greater Good
Can bicycles really help to lower high school dropout rates and improve school accessibility? While the connection may not be evident at first glance, in countries like Colombia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and across Indian states including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab, providing free bicycles to students has significantly improved education outcomes.
In India, Tamil Nadu was a pioneer in this effort, launching the free bicycle scheme in the 2001–02 academic year under Chief Minister Dr. J. Jayalalithaa. Initially targeted at higher secondary students belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, with a focus on girls, the scheme expanded in 2005–06 to include all Class 11 students enrolled in government, government-aided, and partially aided schools. In 2012, it had further expanded to encompass government-aided Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). For the 2024–25 school year, the Tamil Nadu education department plans to distribute approximately 5.47 lakh bicycles to Class 11 students.
Why Bicycles?
Bicycles are a sustainable and low-maintenance mode of transport. They are particularly valuable in areas with poor last-mile connectivity and inadequate public transport facilities, eliminating a major barrier to regular school attendance. More than just a means of transport, they offer freedom, safety, and time efficiency, especially for students in rural and semi-urban areas who often face long, tiring commutes.
Focus on Girls
In Tamil Nadu, the dropout rate for girls in secondary schools was 23.6% during the 2010-11 academic year, whereas it significantly decreased to 4.4% in 2023-24. While it is clear that issues such as poverty, gender inequality, infrastructure gaps, long distances to school, and domestic responsibilities still disproportionately affect girls’ education, a free bicycle can certainly go someway towards addressing these inequalities. A bicycle can be a simple but transformative solution, enabling independence, reducing dropout rates, and improving access to education. It also offers significant long-term benefits, which includes attainment of higher education, engagement in non-agricultural jobs, and a delay in early marriage and childbearing. Furthermore, it plays a direct role in achieving India’s commitments towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting inclusive and quality education for all.
A Multi-Pronged Approach
Tamil Nadu’s broader strategy to retain students includes the free meal scheme, bus passes, hostel facilities, textbooks, uniforms, and of course, bicycles. Together, these programmes have enhanced both enrolment and retention across the state’s 1.12 crore student population. In 2023-24, Tamil Nadu's dropout rate for secondary schools stood at 7.7%, lower than the national average of 14.1%.
Among these, the bicycle scheme is particularly time, energy and money-saving for rural students, making the school commute seem less burdensome. Jeevan, a student from a government school in Kancheepuram who was interviewed for this piece shared how the bicycle helps him travel independently—not just to school, but also within his neighbourhood. Another student, Rajeshwari from Tiruvallur district, said that apart from using buses, she and her friends also use bicycles on a regular basis to travel to school and within the neighbourhood.
A study by IIT Delhi and Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, highlighted that the percentage of students cycling to school rose from 6.6% in 2007 to 11.2% in 2017. The free bicycle scheme was cited as a key driver of this growth. Notably, it helped reduce gender disparities in cycling, especially in rural areas where cycling rates among girls doubled over the decade. In contrast, urban rates remained stagnant due to safety concerns. Many students in government and aided schools come from low-income households that struggle to cover transportation costs. The free bicycle initiative has helped reduce this financial burden, making education more accessible.
Challenges to Address
However, the scheme has its own set of challenges and drawbacks which need to be addressed to benefit a wider set of students. One of the common issues that arise with these bicycles is their poor condition during distribution. In 2024 (in Coimbatore), there have been a few documented cases where the student sold the bicycle provided by the government due to its poor condition or to fulfill their financial needs. Another article states that bicycles were found in shops at reduced prices, with shopkeepers noting they needed repairs costing ₹500–700 before they could be used. In our own case study, we found that students from Tiruvallur and Chennai reported that bicycles required servicing even before its first use.
Road Safety: A Deterrent to Bicyclists
Improving urban cycling conditions is vital for the scheme’s continued success. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in 2022, Tamil Nadu recorded approximately 421 bicycle fatalities, with two-wheelers and cars being the leading vehicles involved. In Chennai, there are very few bicycle tracks, and those that do exist are frequently encroached upon or poorly maintained. In addition, extreme weather conditions, lack of shade, rising traffic, and air pollution deter urban cycling.
Without safe, dedicated cycling infrastructure, both students and parents are reluctant to depend on bicycles for their daily commute. The free bicycle scheme has demonstrated its worth, but its success could be enhanced by considering implementing the following factors:
- Ensure high-quality bicycles along with instructions for maintenance.
- Improve cycling infrastructure—build and maintain safe bicycle lanes, provide shade, and prioritise cyclist safety.
- Continue free bus passes to promote sustainable and flexible student travel options.
- Prioritise child-focused urban design, ensuring safe school routes that encourage independent mobility, especially for girls.
If these challenges are addressed, Tamil Nadu can fulfil the promise of a scheme it boldly launched almost 25 years ago.
---
Add new comment