Mumbai's amputee motorcyclists celebrate a decade of freedom
Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul’ — a biker saying that truly applies to this group of amputee motorcyclists in the city. They love getting onto their machines in any weather and take off on a ride. They are a part of the first specially-abled bikers club in India and on Independence Day , are all set to celebrate 10 years of being on the road.
We caught them at Bandra, enjoying the rains on their wheels.
When rejection spurred him to fulfill his biking dream
Vinod Rawat lost his left leg at the age of six. After an unsuccessful surgery to get an artificial limb , he got his first prosthetic limb in 1997. “All through my growing up I had only one passion — to ride a bike,” he says. His wheels gave fruition to his dream during a monsoon trail to Rajmachi, Lonavala. “The trail is called ‘Mini Ladakh’ among the riders. I rode with all the riders on the stretch and no one knew I had a prosthetic limb till I removed it in the night. They said, ‘Sorry brother we can’t take you with us. You are disabled and if something happens, we will be responsible’. I was so shattered, but I made up my mind to do something for riders like me. So, I formed a group of specially-abled people whom society had rejected, so that they can ride their dream.” Many years down, they’ve hit the 10th year milestone and now have seven chapters in their club all over India. They have also chased different trails since — some scenic, some for a cause.
When rejection spurred him to fulfill his biking dream
Vinod Rawat lost his left leg at the age of six. After an unsuccessful surgery to get an artificial limb , he got his first prosthetic limb in 1997. “All through my growing up I had only one passion — to ride a bike,” he says. His wheels gave fruition to his dream during a monsoon trail to Rajmachi, Lonavala. “The trail is called ‘Mini Ladakh’ among the riders. I rode with all the riders on the stretch and no one knew I had a prosthetic limb till I removed it in the night. They said, ‘Sorry brother we can’t take you with us. You are disabled and if something happens, we will be responsible’. I was so shattered, but I made up my mind to do something for riders like me. So, I formed a group of specially-abled people whom society had rejected, so that they can ride their dream.” Many years down, they’ve hit the 10th year milestone and now have seven chapters in their club all over India. They have also chased different trails since — some scenic, some for a cause.
Overcoming challenges
Bandra resident and state government officer Vishal Gosavi (37) didn’t let polio in his right leg come in the way of his riding. “No one offered me a ride on their bike when I was in college. Today, he rides two wheelers and sports bikes and also owns three heavy bikes. “I had heard about the specially-abled bikers’ group on social media and I joined them. The rides that we embark on regularly, gives us such a sense of freedom ,” he says. He still has to deal with some challenges. “Putting the bike in the middle stand is not easy as it takes more strength. It’s the same while shifting the bike from left to right and balancing it. My family used to worry about me and my brother used to sit at the back to give me support till a few years ago. I have been riding solo now and I love it.”
Mira-Road and Western Railways employee Mahendra Pitale has a prosthetic arm . He shares, “I lost my arm in the bomb blasts of July 11, 2006. I ride my bike with the clutch (which was shifted from left side to right), brakes and accelerator using one arm. It’s not easy, but am able to manage it with practice.”
‘We are not becharas’
The bikers dislike being seen as different. Says Vinod, “We are not becharas.” He goes on to add, “A motorsport isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but with perseverance and courage you can do it. I was called an apang in the past, but I proved them wrong. Every morning I look at the mirror and tell myself that I am a hero, because the first thing you need to do is believe in yourself.”
‘We are not becharas’
The bikers dislike being seen as different. Says Vinod, “We are not becharas.” He goes on to add, “A motorsport isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but with perseverance and courage you can do it. I was called an apang in the past, but I proved them wrong. Every morning I look at the mirror and tell myself that I am a hero, because the first thing you need to do is believe in yourself.”
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