The story of Mulayam Singh choosing the election symbol. Mulayam had won the first cycle on condition: After 32 years, he made it the symbol of the party; Story of SP's election symbol – Lucknow News

“The Samajwadi Party had been formed. The Election Commission called us to choose the symbol. I, Mulayam Singh and other leaders reached the office. There the Commission officials presented the list of symbols in front of us. Mulayam Singh's face lit up after seeing the cycle symbol in the list. In the blink of an eye, without looking at anything, he placed his finger on the bicycle. This bicycle became the symbol of SP.

This is what 70 year old Dr., one of the founding members of SP, has to say.