One may attribute it to rising awareness against Global warming or matter of lifestyle but fact is that Punjab stands first among all states in use of bicycles despite improvement in per capita income. The trend in other states is opposite where number of bicycles is dropping with econoimic upliftment.

An analysis performed on the Census data 2001 reveals that Cycle density per 10,000 people in the Punjab state is maximum in comparison to the other states of India with similar terrain and geographical conditions. Hilly states can be ignored in these observations because of geographical conditions like steep terrains are not favorable for the bicycle users.

As Per capita income in certain states is going up, the numbers of cycle users are going down in all the states like Haryana, Maharashtra, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh etc.

Punjab has shown up altogether different trends. Inspite of this fact having state with maximum per capita income (2001 data) after goa, Punjabi's love for cycles has not gone down. Almost every second occupied household is having minimum one cycle. High density of Non-Motorised mode of transportation proved that Punjab is moving ahead for the sustainability. Cycle is still first bike in Punjab and has been accepted by each segment of the society very well. In Punjab cycle is not meant for the mobility of poor only.

Other states which are having lower but comparable results in terms of cycle density are Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are probably because of lower per capita income between the range of Rs. 5000 to 7000/- per annum whereas other modes of motorised transport become an expensive affair . No doubt, that Punjab is equally attracted towards other modes of motorised transport but in Punjab bicycle has not been ignored by the people over the period of time. 

Communities that are bicycle-friendly are seen as places with a high quality of life. Bicycle-friendly communities are places where people feel safe and comfortable riding their bikes for fun, fitness, and transportation. Bicycling is a simple way towards improving public health. With more people bicycling, communities experience reduced traffic demands, improved air quality and greater physical fitness. In addition, bicycle-friendly communities are often seen as places with a high quality of life.  

Where in Punjab after per 10,000 people there are 1257 cycle users. Haryana is just having 2/3rd of it like 835 users per 10,000 people. Punjab has thrown away this taboo of "bicycle as a bike for poor, this is a vehicle of equality".

Research conducted by Urja Purash of Uttrakhand and Dr Bhupinder Singh, retired Professor at IIT Roorkee, Mechanical Engineering Department reveals that to burn 1 liter of fuel, we need 15.2 kg of air from atmosphere. Based upon that, if we consider average daily trip length of cyclist as 5-6 km in a day; one cycle user is saving half a liter of fuel and 7.6 kg of fresh air (comparing to car).  High density of cycle users in the state is contributing maximum to environment on daily basis.  Punjab environment department on the basis of the same can generate some revenue for the state against the carbon credit saved by cycle friendly Punjab state comes under Kyoto protocol for Global Warming.