‘As the demand for cycling is increasing, so should the infrastructure’
‘As the demand for cycling is increasing, so should the infrastructure’
Be it for physical fitness or for general commuting, the pandemic has put the pedal to the metal for city cycling. The reluctance to use public transport such as buses and taxis over the past two years also contributed to people shifting to cycling.
Bengaluru Cycle Mayor Satya Sankaran said there has been an increase in the number of both cyclists and groups in the city. “Apart from professional cyclists, many people have started using cycles for daily commuting. One of the main reasons for this is that gyms remained closed for so long after the outbreak of the pandemic. Cycling became a natural choice to stay fit and get fresh air, as the roads were also traffic free.
People had to wait for months to buy cycles due to rising demand and disruption in supply of branded cycles.
Tanmai Jain, a cyclist and trainer, said, “When the pandemic was at its peak, people were confined to their homes. The movement of people was restricted to contain the spread of the virus. As the lockdown restrictions were eased, many health conscious people started using bicycles. It was the best available exercise option in their neighborhood.”
While this is a good sign that more people are moving towards an eco-friendly mode of commuting, city streets are not easy to ride. “Under the Smart City project, we have got some dedicated cycle tracks for the first time. But this is not enough as the demand for cycling is increasing and infrastructure should be created accordingly. Most of the professional cyclists go to the outskirts for practice and training,” said Mr. Sankaran.
Raghunath YL, a member of Yelahanka cyclists group, said, “There are hardly any lanes for cyclists. Roads where lanes are available for cyclists have been illegally occupied by motorists. Cars, autos and bikes are seen parked in these streets and they become useless.” He said potholes and poor road conditions are other challenges facing cyclists.
Nitin Gajtap of Bangalore Randoners, a group of cyclists, said, “Generally, for long distances, we used to go on highways. Cycling long distances in city limits is very difficult. For the benefit of cyclists, the authorities should ensure that good roads and dedicated lanes are provided on major roads.”