Car Vs Bike: What Is The Better Option For Indian Roads?

Owning a car or a bike is an endless discussion in India. In today’s fast-paced world, transportation is needed and the majority of our time revolves around commuting from home to work and vice versa. Depending on factors like convenience, personal usage, income, availability, preference, etc. one chooses their mode of travel. Whether to buy a car or a bike is the question that strikes the mind of the majority of our people.! So, if you are confused about picking between the two, you have landed on the right page! Here is a comparison of both options, to help you make the right choice:

Loan

It’s easier to get a bike loan compared to a car loan and the processing of a bike loan is generally faster due to the smaller loan amount. Also, a substantial difference is in the prices of both the vehicles; the bike can be purchased for less than INR 1 Lakh; cars can cost you more than bikes; but yes people can go with second-hand cars too if they don’t have enough budget for buying a car. 

Level of Comfort

When it’s about cars, there’s nothing wrong in saying that it provides one with more comfort compared to bikes. Many people prefer cars due to the comfort it offers particularly at the time of long-distance journeys. One can get comfortable seats along with a number of safety features with the car and also it makes a perfect choice in all weather conditions; be it heavy flooded rains or scorching summer days.

But that doesn’t mean bikes can’t provide you with a comfortable riding experience. Nowadays, many bikes are equipped with air-cushioned seats that can provide comfort too. Also, with bikes, one can move out of the traffic congestion smoothly. 

Maintenance Cost

Bike maintenance cost is more budget-friendly than a car. Servicing is another cost that one can’t avoid as a bike or a car owner. One needs to invest in servicing on a timely basis to keep the vehicle in good condition and to make it last for a long time. Higher maintenance costs of cars influence a lot of people to choose bikes, particularly in small towns.

Mileage

In India, mileage is the major issue and there’s no doubt that a bike provides better mileage than a car. The mileage of a bike starts around 50 kms per litre but for the car, it falls in the range of around 10-20 kms per litre.

The mileage may vary according to the model of the car or bike. So, if one’s concern is mileage then it’s better to opt for the bike and if someone’s preference is safety and complete comfort then nothing can be much better than a car.

Considerations for a Car

• Cars are more expensive than bikes in terms of upfront purchase costs and ongoing maintenance expenses including fuel costs.
• In crowded areas, cars can encounter issues associated with traffic congestion and parking space availability.
• Cars consume more fuel than bikes which is a reason to worry when fuel prices rise.

Considerations for Bike

• Riding a bike in adverse climatic conditions like floods, heavy rainfall or too much heat can be challenging
• While bikes can be chosen for long-distance travel, however, they can’t give you the same comfort level and luggage capacity as cars

Wrapping Up

As we mentioned, the debate of bike vs. car will never end. But based on one’s priorities and factors like finance, comfort level, maintenance cost, loan amount, etc. it gets easier to narrow down to one option.