100 cyclists give feedback on Handlebar Survey in city

CHENNAI: In a first of its kind, the Greater Chennai Corporation conducted a handlebar survey to receive feedback from the cyclists on Saturday, in which top officials of the civic body also participated.

A Chennai Corporation release said the participants were divided into three teams and they rode cycles on three different routes from Little Mount Metro Station and Corporation Park in MRC Nagar.

“Around 100 cyclists took part in the survey. We provided cycles being used under the cycle sharing system to those participants who did not own cycles,” an official said.

The official release further said that the survey intended to get feedback from the cyclists in Chennai, which would be incorporated while improving city roads.

Deputy Commissioner Meghanath Reddy and Regional Deputy Commissioner (South) Alby John were among those to ride cycles as part of the survey.

“Due to the COVID-19 situation, public transportation is affected. Following this, the Central government has decided to boost non-motorised transport that ensures social distancing. As a part of this, the Central government is conducting a Cycles4Change challenge to make roads cycling-friendly,” the release added.

The Chennai Corporation will improve any one of the five-kilometre stretches in the city as cycling-friendly as a pilot based on the feedback and suggestions received from the ongoing online survey and handlebar survey.

Based on the pilot, other roads will be taken up for the project. If the civic body wins the challenge, the Housing and Urban Development Ministry under the Central government will sanction Rs 1 crore to improve cycling conditions in the city.