Edward Pinheiro, a Mumbai resident is on a mission with his initiative #SaveTheCyclist to mobilise the cycling community towards sensitising drivers and reducing road conflicts, collisions and casualties. We spoke to him to learn more about his cycling journey and long term vision.
Can you briefly talk about your cycling journey?
Cycling is a way of life for me. Typically, 5 to 6 days in a week, I commute to work on a cycle as well as ride for health benefits. I was born and brought up in the Middle East, and I learnt cycling on a BMX from the age of 3 and from then until high school cycling was always a part of my life. I was given an MTB by my dad at the age of 14 and I used it to play around on the streets as well as to commute and drop my brothers to school double or sometimes triple seat on the bicycle. In those days, there was less emphasis on the aesthetics of the bike, its quality or the price and we rode it anywhere and everywhere. After completing my higher studies I took up a full time job and that’s when the connection with cycling was lost for a decade. Now, since the last 17 years or so I’ve been cycling regularly. I currently have a Road bike – the Van Rysel RCR AF 105 as well as and MTB – the Trek Fuel EX 5 which is a full suspension enduro bike.
How did you find interest in Mountain Biking?
Mountain Biking technical knowledge came to me naturally as I had prior experiencing of riding a BMX bike, once I got my hands on the Trek Fuel EX 5 there was no stopping.
Which are the most challenging cycling competitions you participated in?
I participated in the MonDuro 3.0 which happened at Tawang in November 2023, in Arunachal Pradesh where even the Minister felicitated me for my participation in the event there. That was a fun filled Enduro Down Hill Off road event in sub-zero temperatures at 15000 feet of altitude. It’s not just a test of your talent but also your health, the oxygen levels drop in cold temperature, making it difficult for a person like me coming from sea level in Mumbai to cope up in higher altitude. The other event I participated in was the Pandharpur Wari 2025 ride which was a 200+ Km ride from Pune to Pandharpur. I completed that ride on my road bike, which made the journey smooth other than the last 50km which was very sunny and hot but nevertheless the energy of the event helped everyone complete the event.
How do you manage to transition between Road Cycling and Mountain Biking?
I contemplate and see what, where, when with whom I am riding on a particular day. For instance, when I join group rides where most of the riders have Road bikes and ride over 25Kmph+ average speed, so it’s pointless using an MTB when you know you can keep up only if you have a road bike. And when the route is gravel or a mix of rough terrains and asphalt, that’s when I decide to take an MTB to sustain the potholes or offroad trails. So, it’s situational as well as being smart with your choice.
What is your motivation to start #SaveTheCyclist campaign?
About a year and a half back the whole cycling fraternity was in shock and pain and distress because of a veteran cyclist who lost his life while cycling in the wee hours of the morning where a cabbie crashed into him. This got me thinking that why should I just take this as a negative moment, live in fear, stop riding and set a negative example on road safety. Instead, I wanted to turn it into a positive opportunity by making friends with vehicle drivers on the roads and asking them for empathy towards cyclists and hoping that other cyclists follow the same too.
What changes do you wish to bring through #SaveTheCyclist campaign?
Save The Cyclist is slowly becoming a movement for cyclists where we are beginning to see psychological changes in vehicle drivers behaviour towards cyclists on the roads. To give an example, the other day a motorbike guy passed by very closely almost touching me and then he realised his mistake and he slowed down and said sorry and rode with me for 10 minutes at my pace side by side and had a conversation too. This is the effect the #SaveTheCyclist movement is bringing on the roads. Furthermore, I am very thankful to a few cyclists who have joined the movement already and meeting drivers to sensitise them on cyclist safety and importance of maintaining space. This is a movement where we are positively having an effect on the mindset of vehicle drivers and the psychological changes in behaviour of drivers will help us cyclists in the long run. I’m even glad that this Movement of #SaveTheCyclist is been recognised by the Government of India, Sports Authority of India and the Fit India Movement where I got to meet The Sports Minister of India in a virtual meet up online and got a chance to share what I am doing. They appreciated our efforts and this gives me more hope and confidence and motivation to keep going.
How do you juggle between a full time corporate job with cycling and advocacy initiatives?
This is the best part, I had to come out of a comfort zone and make time for my cycling as well as to take this movement forward. It is not an easy task, but someone’s got to do it.
What gear and equipment are a part of your everyday cycling kit?
A cyclist is vulnerable as soon as they are out on the road cycling, the least we could do is wear a good helmet, use reflective and bright clothing so you are more visible to all. Use the front and rear tail lights of higher lumens for visibility if you ride more often in the dark hours. Lastly, I rely on my senses to stay alert and attentive as well as constantly predicting drivers behaviour.
Where do you ride most often and which is your dream cycling destination?
At night, I ride all over Mumbai from north to south. The best roads I like is Marine Drive and Gorai-Manori stretch, both of which are coastal roads with reasonably good quality roads. My dream cycling destinations are using my MTB on Canadian mountain trails and riding on the cycling network of the Netherlands.
One favourite cycling quote that you live by?
“I am the best and safest cyclist riding and all the vehicle drivers around me are driving safe, the roads are best roads.” These are the lines I keep telling myself while cycling which makes me feel safe and spread the power of safety on the roads.
Follow #SaveTheCyclist on Instagram @savethecyclist
Photo credits; Edward Pinheiro
Also read: FIVE WOMEN’S STORIES THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO START CYCLING
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Author: Vijay Malhotra, Mumbai.
Good initiative Edward and nice of you Vijay to let us know about these efforts made by cyclists
Your encouraging words means a lot to us, Thank You Prajesh for reading this story. And we are glad to get continuous support from our Subscribers like you.