Cycles disappearing from Bangalore roads

Cycles disappearing from Bangalore roads
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: While the common sparrow has disappeared from the Bangalore skyline, another common species is rapidly which is facing the threat of local extinction is the common cyclist.

A recent “Intermediate Public Transport and Alternate-to-Fuel'' study carried out in the city traffic expert Prof M N Sreehari, Head, Mechanical Engineering department, MSRIT and associates, has estimated that the bicycle population in Bangalore is now less than six percent of a total of 23.2 lakh vehicles. The study showed that half the cycles were not in use.

A large proportion of the cycle users today are school children (about 85 per cent) followed by lower economic class adult men. A minor usage is among those in sprawling educational campuses and hostels.

The main factors for the decline have been cited as: increase in distances; lack of dedicated cycle tracks; cyclist accidents and easy two-wheeler loans.

The study points out that the average distance to the work place in Bangalore is now 8.2 km. “This is too long a cycling distance,'' Sreehari pointed out. This is probably one main cause for cyclists to switch to public transport or upgrade to two-wheelers.

The absence of cycle tracks on most city roads is the other important reason. An attempt to introduce cycle tracks by former City Police Commissioner H T Sangliana was a thorough failure. While the cyclists themselves remained confused with the concept, other vehicles encroached the space from day one.

In the absence of dedicated tracks, cyclists are no longer assured of safety of life and limb, given the city's dangerous and disorganised traffic. It is hard for the struggling cyclist to peddle out of a faster and bigger vehicle's way in time to avoid a mishap.

According to police records, 172 cyclists were killed and 994 were injured in the last three years.

Finally, the hyped, easy hire purchase and loan schemes offered by a multitude of banks and private financiers has enabled almost anybody with an income to upgrade from a cycle to a two-wheeler. Buying a two-wheeler today is easier than buying a cycle as there are no credit available for the latter.

While decline of non-motor transport ownership and increase in motor transport ownership is considered good for any city's economic development, it is considered unhealthy for the city's environment.

The bicycle, the most non-polluting, fuel-conserving and cheapest means of mechanised travel is necessary. “Every city should maintain a healthy 10 per cent cycle population to remain environment-friendly by promoting cycling,'' Sreehari remarked. But, who will cycle the fat?