In our neck of the woods, promising initiatives to promote cycling have consistently developed flat tyres.
A dedicated track for cyclists in Anna Nagar was an enterprising project that first showed up around 2010. It was a great move, not least because it sought to connect routes that led to schools in the neighbourhood. A study that numerous youngsters in Anna Nagar cycled to school prompted this initiative. Through the cycle track, these children could ride safe to school and their parents could have peace of mind. The wheels of this noble project, however, seemed to be stuck in concrete. It was only in 2013 that the project seemed likely to see the light. But the faint glimmer of hope died soon. The project was shelved, with the difficulties posed by traffic diversions due to Metro Rail work cited as one of the reasons.
The other part of the city has also had its share of stillborn cycling initiatives. For want of a detailed study, the planned cycle track on a seven-kilometre stretch from Marina to Fort St. George seemed destined for the shelves. Then, there was hope that a part of the project, covering the Marina Loop Road, would take off. For, this road was going to be beautified, which included provision of a cycling track. Environmental activists objected to the beautification project, as it entailed concretisation of beach land; and the exercise was abandoned.
And a few days ago, another initiative hit the headlines. It was reported that parks, footpaths and cycling tracks would be developed along a section of the Cooum, after resettling people living on its banks.
There is a question one cannot avoid asking. Is this project also going to move as sluggishly as the Cooum?
There are other questions too. Why are we less aggressive when it comes to protecting the interests of cyclists? Do we think there are few cyclists? Ashwathy Dilip, senior associate, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, says that’s an illusion we are susceptible to.
“There are more cyclists on the road than we believe. Cyclists don’t get noticed because they don’t always get stuck in traffic, unlike car users. Cycling infrastructure is a necessity. However, as with anything pertaining to urban planning, cycling initiatives have to go thorough studies, which may partly explain the delay in some of the projects. The Corporation has taken the first step by promoting car-free Sundays and seeking to create cycling infrastructure in neighbourhoods, where large numbers of students ride cycles to school. For instance, in K.K. Nagar, some roads are being redesigned to make room for cycling tracks. The Corporation should act quickly and create a network of cycling tracks across the city,” says Ashwathy.
When it comes to cycling infrastructure, there are two beneficiaries. One, those who have to cycle. Two, those who want to. The second category pertains to recreational cyclists. They offer certain possibilities.
V.P. Senthil Kumar, fitness and cycling enthusiast, says, “The number of recreational cyclists in the city is on the rise. There is a case for promoting cycling tourism in Chennai and its surrounding areas. It can make our city more beautiful in the eyes of our visitors.”
