The Gazetteers Department

Bicycles are not much in use in Bhir district. Bicycle-repairing shops are, therefore, comparatively few in this district. A sample survey of bicycle-repairing shops was made to assess their position They consisted of establishments of different sizes. Most of them were started by the proprietors themselves and formed their principal or subsidiary occupation. Besides repairing work, some of them had also undertaken sales service either of brand new or of second-hand bicycles or their spare parts.

The initial capital required by these shops for their set-up varied from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 5,000 depending upon their size. A fairly large establishment was found to possess as many as 22 bicycles, a medium-sized about 15 bicycles and a small one from 4 to 8 bicycles. These cycles were hired out on rates fixed per hour. In addition to bicycles, the establishment also had various tools and equipments to undertake repair work. Besides cycles, repairing of stoves, petromaxes, etc., was also undertaken.

Charges for hiring out bicycles and repairing services constitute the income of a bicycle-repairer. Costs of maintenance and those required for repairing work, including labour costs, on the other hand, form the items of his recurring expenditure. Rent, if the premises of cycle-shop are hired by the proprietor, also forms a part of this expenditure. It varied from Rs. 40 to Rs. 30 per month for every establishment surveyed at Bhir, Ambejogai and Parali Vaijnath. It was lower at Kaij, Ghatnandur and Manjlegaon. Wages or labour costs incurred by some of the establishments were also lower, and varied from Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 per month for each individual. The net income of the establishment ranged between Rs. 75 and Rs. 225 per month, depending upon its size. This low income is the result of a restricted demand for the repairing services and the high cost incurred for maintaining the cycles. Improvement in the conditions of roads would facilitate traffic and increase the number of bicycle-users. This, in consequence, would enlarge the scope of bicycle-repairers and bicycle-dealers.