PEDAL GETS PUSH

PEDAL GETS PUSH
Bangalore will soon get an exclusive cycling track around Madivala lake
SUCHITH KIDIYOOR


For cycling enthusiasts, here is some news to cheer about: Bangalore will get its first exclusive cycling track shortly. And, it is being laid at a picturesque location: The Madivala lake.
The cycle track project, which was suggested by the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), has got the green signal from the Union urban development ministry for preparing a detailed project report. “We expect to overcome the procedural hurdles. The track will help working professionals who are taking up cycling for fitness,” said officials.
IT CORRIDOR TO BENEFIT
The track will benefit those staying in the IT corridor of Koramangala-HSR Layout-Sarjapur Road and the students of Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore and the Shantiniketan School.
The proposal for a cycling track, which was sent to the Centre in March 2009, took a concrete shape after a lot of brainstorming with residents. The length of the track will be 5 km and it will be laid along the periphery of the lake - the southern part of Outer Ring Road near BTM Layout, said DULT director Mohammad Mohsin. He said there are a large number of cycle users in the area and they need a place where they can undertake cycling.
CENTRE KEEN
Mohsin said, “The urban development ministry officials have confirmed their willingness to support the cause. As soon as we receive a letter from the Union government, we will ask an independent body to prepare a detailed project report.”
The project cost and its feasibility will be covered in the report. DULT will also explore the option of starting food kiosks, providing drinking water facilities and toilets and setting up cycle repair shops.
TRACKS FOR STUDENTS
The state government had proposed to develop a cycle track in Jayanagar and Basavanagudi to benefit college students.
Cycling is expected to reduce the number of motor vehicles on the road, which will result in less congestion on the roads, less air and noise pollution, reduce fatalities on roads and keep people healthy. The Centre has stressed the need for laying cycle tracks to decongest traffic in metropolitan cities in its National Urban Transport Policy, 2006.
CITY COMMUTING

• Private vehicles: 38 per cent

• BMTC buses: 40 per cent

• Walking and cycling: 17 per cent