During the later half of the last century, Cycle Industry developed at a very fast pace at Ludhiana in Punjab, which caters to the needs of poor and health conscious for upper class people in India as well as in South East Asia and European countries. Now Ludhiana can produce any kind of high quality cycle as per the need of the customer. It is worth mentioning that roadstar model of bicycle produced in Ludhiana is the cheapest in the world.

With the increase in the population, the production of cycles has also risen. More than 25,000 cycles per day are manufactured in Ludhiana only.

With the changing Socio-economic patterns in the world over, it is feared that popularity of cycle will further come down, thus effecting the growth of cycle industry. The coming up of Two Wheelers (Autos) and Four Wheelers in the market, has already made a dent in the Cycle Market and the industry has felt the pinch of it. Though, at present, there is no reduction in the production level but definte effect on its sales has been observed.

Now-a-days every middle class and upper poor class family uses Two Wheeler (Auto) for going up and down the city as well as in the villages. Even most of college going students are using scooters. With the adoption of liberalised economic policies by the Government, World's larger players have set up their car manufacturing units in India, market has been flooded with cars. The two wheeler (Auto) manufacturing units have also boosted their production capacity. Moreover, the easy availability of funds by financial institutions, in the form of loans, has acted catalyst in manifold increase in the popularity of two wheelers (Auto) and cars. The auto population boom in cities and towns has made it difficult for a cyclist to ply on congested roads and lanes.

On the other hand with the development of technology particularly in the material Science and Heat-treatment moveable parts of the cycle give better services and longer life than earlier. Even otherwise, the life of a cycle has become longer due to its lesser daily use

.Keeping in view of the above facts, its is feared that the cycle industry in our country will have to pass through a tough time in the near future if the planners and other concerned do not arise to the occasion. In my opinion, following remedial measures should be taken to maintain the present growth of the industry.

The Government should frame out a Policy to popularise the use of cycles in the cities and town keeping in view the over crowding of roads, increasing pollution due to auto vehicles and growth on Import expenditure. The congested and central places in the cities and towns should be declared as cycle areas and entry of vehicles should be lawfully banned. We should conduct seminars to find out the solution to the problems of cycle industry, bring awareness regarding the use of cycle and its benefits in the minds of public which is need of the hour.

The cycle manufacturer should ask the R&D centre, for Bicycle and sewing machine to develop higher value cycle technique for them to cater the need of advance countries in the world. Government should modify existing Industrial/Financial/Revenue policies so as to make the growth oriented and industry friendly. I am very much optimistic that cycle has its own place in the life of mankind. If the situation is properly handled by the producers/cycle parts manufacturer/cycle suppliers Associations and Government of India, there is no reason for the slump in the economy of cycle industry.