Go smart: Pedal for a greener, fitter future
BICYCLES ON RENT LMC and district admn to set up dock stations across the city to provide ‘smart cycles’ at ₹1 for 30 minutes
LUCKNOW: The bygone era when cycles used to be easily available on rent seems to be back, but this time with a tech update.
As part of the smart city project, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) and the district administration are going to set up dock stations across the city to provide cycles on rent.
Unlike the traditional bicycles, the cycles at these docks would be enabled with Global Positioning System (GPS) and other features. And the rent would be as low as ₹1 for half an hour.
The project will be launched in association with Zoomcar’s PEDL initiative to focus on nonmotorised modes of transport. PEDL is a smart, affordable and environment-friendly cycle sharing service for short trips around the city.
LMC officials said the bicycle scheme is aimed at moving towards a cleaner, greener and healthier tomorrow and strengthen the local transport system.
“The smart cycle rental service is part of phase 1 of the smart city project. It will not only make available a new and cheap mode of transport to citizens, but will also keep them healthy,” said PK Srivastava, additional municipal commissioner.
As per the blueprint, the cycles would first be introduced in Gomti Nagar and later in other parts of the city, including the old Lucknow that is in dire need of traffic de-congestion.
Officials said the cycles would be made available at the dock station in Gomti Nagar, from where people can hire them as per their convenience. The LMC is also in touch with Bangalorebased company—Zoomcar that was among the first few to introduce the concept of giving selfdriven cars on rent. Now it has started a new venture, wherein it has re-introduced the ‘cycles on rent’ concept.
“So far, it has introduced its services in around 12 cities including Haryana, Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai,” an official said, adding that the cycles would be different than the regular ones.
SPECIFICATIONS
Smart cycles, as the name suggests, would be different from the traditional ones. These would be unisex bicycles that can be operated easily by people of all age groups. The cycles come in one colour scheme – green and black.
Interestingly, the bikes are tamper proof and none of its parts can be taken off easily. As the cycles are GPS enabled, company officials will be able to keep complete track of the cycles and its users.
The bicycles are also equipped with unique puncture-proof tyres that further reduce chances of breakdown. For security purposes, the cycles have a GPSenabled lock system that can be operated from a distance.
HOW TO HIRE A BICYCLE?
Once the dock station is established (expected in a couple of months), these bikes can be hired either by logging on to www.pedl.in or through zoomcar mobile application that can be downloaded from Google Playstore.
Once logged in, the mobile application would prompt a screen to scan the barcode printed either on the lock of the bicycle or on the mudguard.
Once scanned, the lock would open automatically and cycle would be ready for use.
MODE OF PAYMENT
As the dock station won’t have staff and cash counters, the payment will be made either through credit/debit card or a mobile wallet.
A user can end the trip anywhere, after which his/her mobile screen would prompt the total amount payable.