74-Year-Old Vadodara Engineer Crafts Unique Elliptical Bicycles, Garnering Praise from Anand Mahindra

In Vadodara, 74-year-old Sudhir Bhave, a retired mechanical engineer, has become a local sensation with his self-made elliptical bicycles, designed to offer specialized exercise benefits. Bhave, who graduated in Mechanical Engineering from MSU in 1973 and spent 40 years in the steel industry, has always had a passion for cycling. Today, he continues to ride and walk at least 10 kilometers daily, embodying a spirit of innovation and fitness even in his later years.

During a visit to the United States in 2015-16, Bhave encountered an elliptical bicycle for the first time. However, the $1,400 price tag was prohibitive, prompting him to create a more affordable version upon returning to India. Utilizing his engineering expertise, Bhave developed his first elliptical bicycle at a cost of just $300 (approximately ₹25,000), a significant reduction from the U.S. price. His creations quickly gained attention, with three orthopedic doctors purchasing his bikes for personal use.

Bhave's ingenuity didn’t stop there. Over time, he crafted eight distinct elliptical bicycles, each with unique features and purposes. He named them after family members and friends, and each design targets different areas of the body for exercise. For example, the "Shloki" bicycle is ideal for leg exercises and is particularly suitable for individuals with prosthetic knees, while the "Arjun" bike focuses on exercising the waist and pelvic region by requiring the rider to lean forward while cycling.

Bhave’s innovative designs include cycles for upper and lower body workouts, as well as models like the "Hamrahi," which is specifically designed for small sellers to carry their goods safely. His "Dost" model caters to individuals with mobility challenges, allowing them to propel the bicycle using only their arms.

Despite the lack of a personal workshop, Bhave's dedication to his craft has not wavered. He collaborates with local workshops whenever time and space permit, completing each bicycle in about a month. His remarkable creativity recently caught the eye of industrialist Anand Mahindra, who publicly praised Bhave on social media. Mahindra lauded Bhave’s "irrepressible creativity and energy" and extended an offer for Bhave to use the Mahindra workshop in Vadodara for his future projects.

Bhave's story is a testament to the fact that innovation and a startup mindset are not limited by age. His unique contributions to the world of cycling continue to inspire, proving that passion and determination can lead to extraordinary achievements, regardless of life's stage.

Reference:

www.indiatoday.in

deshgujarat.com