FINALLY, B’LURU GETS A GRIP ON CYCLE TRACKS
Dedicated cycling tracks across the Central Business District, the latest initiative by the Directorate of Urban Land Transport, could be the answer to Bengaluru’s growing traffic snarls. The DULT’s letter to the BBMP requesting the construction of these
Relief is on the way for Bengaluru commuters, for whom the long traffic snarls and smokefilled congestion makes travelling through the city so dreary. The Directorate of Urban Land Transport ( DULT) is now planning to have separate cycle tracks in two zones of the Central Business District ( CBD).
Over 357 parking hubs have been identified as DULT is now looking forward to the dock- less technology, compared with the earlier proposal which included docking stations in each zone. N. Murali Krishna, Special Officer, DULT, says the logic behind doing away with docking stations is to help save money that can be utilised in designing the cycle tracks themselves. "After the initial success of the project in Mysore and Bhopal, we found a growing demand in Bengaluru too, which led to the idea. The tenders for bicycles will be finalised by the end of December," he added.
DULT, which had originally planned to procure over 6,000 bicycles, is now looking at an even larger number, as docking stations have been replaced with parking hubs.
Elated by the idea of having cycle tracks in Bengaluru, urban experts believe the project will meet its fair share of challenges. The re- imagining of streets, keeping pedestrians in mind and providing safe infrastructure is a pertinent aspect, in which the BBMP is a major stakeholder.
The non- motorised infrastructure includes walkways for pedestrian safety apart from cycle tracks.
Urban Expert, V Ravichandar said, "Our infrastructure is under stress but cycle tracks are still possible. However, if the hierarchy prioritises private vehicles, or continues to do, we might as well forget about the project."
In 2012, civic agencies painted cycle lanes in Jayanagar and Basavangudi but the project backfired as the reserved cycle lanes were used by motorists. Ravichandar alludes to the fallacy of painting cycle lanes, saying a six- inch barrier should be built in order to maintain lane discipline.
Krishna, however, promises that there will be a significant gap between roads and the footpaths where the parking hubs will come up. A physical barrier for the safety of the cyclists will also be built.
Having a separate cycle track in the city with over 67 lakh vehicles on the road promises to be a herculean task but the BBMP, which has received a letter from DULT to construct the cycle tracks on roads where white- topping is underway, maintains they will provide the separate cycle tracks. "At present, we have cycle tracks on TenderSure roads. We will provide the tracks along the 22- km stretch of service lane between Mysore road and KR Puram," said KT Nagaraj, chief engineer,
BBMP.
Trees provide obstructions in certain interior parts of the city, Nagaraj pointed out, saying it is not possible to have cycle tracks everywhere. The BBMP will however look at the possibility of these tracks in non CBD areas as well.
The special officer of the DULT said that the Public Bicycle Sharing ( PBS) model, although it is aimed at citizens employed with different sectors, will generate employment and be feasible for tourists too.
At present we have cycle tracks on TenderSure roads. We will provide the tracks on the 22 km stretch on the service road which falls between Mysore road and KR Puram," KT NAGARAJ Chief engineer, BBMP We do have a stressed infrastructure, still, it is possible to have cycle tracks. But if the hierarchy begins with private vehicles in mind then one should forget about the project MR V RAVICHANDER URBAN EXPERT It will take another 4- 5 month even for them and for us to start. The Yulu has said they will be starting in another one month. They all are talking about only a few hundreds of bicycles. Even our tariff plans are equally competitive; you see the Mysuru model in which we have first 30 minutes free then Rs 5 and so on MURALI KRISHNA SPECIAL OFFICER, DULT