The trial run of the public bicycle sharing project - Trin Trin – at Chamundi Hills was held on Sunday morning. About 15 volunteers, who gathered at the docking station set up by the authorities at the foot of Chamundi Hills, pedalled to the summit on the geared bicycles to be introduced on the route.
The public bicycle-sharing initiative at Chamundi Hills will be part of the scheme to be introduced across the city shortly. The 7 km stretch to the top was covered by most in about an hour and 15 minutes with one or two short stops. The cyclists had to negotiate a gradient of 30 to 45% at different places uphill. The downhill ride was completed in about ten minutes without halts.
Pavana, a volunteer, said she enjoyed the ride to the top. She expressed concern over four-wheelers and buses passing too close to the cyclists. A separate cycling track on the road will be more reassuring.
While the bicycles to be provided under Trin Trin are equipped with seven gears and a bell, the absence of a rear view mirror was a problem.
Representatives of Green Wheel Ride, a Mysuru-based enterprise to whom the operations of the project had been outsourced, accompanied the volunteers. “All of them completed the ride without difficulty,” said Sagar S.M., a representative of Green Wheel Ride. “While the creation of a separate cycling track was not in our hands, the suggestion to equip the cycles with rear view mirrors will be considered,” he added.
The authorities will introduced about 30 bicycles with gears on the route. “We have also received a clearance for introducing five electric bicycles or pedal-assist bicycles,” Mr. Sagar said. The pedal-assist bicycles require lesser effort than geared bicycles.
While the docking station at the foot of Chamundi Hills is ready, the clearance for setting up a station atop the hill was received only four days ago.
The authorities are looking at the public bicycle sharing initiative in the rest of the city for pollution-free commute. The Chamundi Hill stretch will be used mostly by fitness enthusiasts, Mr. Sagar said, adding that user charges vary.
