You will soon be able to pedal away in one of the city’s biggest lung spaces.
The Tourism Department, along with the Horticulture Department, will put in place a bicycles-on-rent system in Cubbon Park. Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge told The Hindu that this was an attempt by the department to improve the experience of tourists in the city.
“The Bengaluru Tourism Advisory Committee has been formed to suggest new initiatives, and one of them is to to develop the Cubbon Park circuit. Introducing cycles on a rental basis is one step in this direction,” he said. It would later be extended to Lalbagh.
Mr. Kharge said the cycles would be offered on a free as well as a paid model on an hourly basis. Mahantesh Murgod, Deputy Director, Cubbon Park, said cycling was picking up in the city, with many people making it a part of their fitness regime. He said it would be introduced on a trial basis for two months, and would be improved based on the feedback of the customers.
“On Sundays, when vehicles are not allowed in the park, people come out in large numbers and cycle. So this initiative will definitely attract visitors. Several people also come by Namma Metro to Cubbon Park, so they will certainly be keen on hiring cycles,” he said.
During several events in the park, some private organisations have offered cycles on rent which has seen a good response among the visitors.
S. Umesh, president, Cubbon Park Walkers’ Association, said, “The authorities should impose conditions so that the cyclists do not disturb the walkers. There needs to be a separate track for cyclists so that there is no disturbance to the walkers,” he said.
