Prithvi GN cannot stop smiling as he put on his helmet, riding gloves, elbow and knee guard to ride a motorcycle at the Children’s Traffic Park. “I cannot believe that I am going to ride. I feel like a grown up. This is exciting,” says this class IV student of Yuvabharathi Public School.
Prithvi’s classmates cheer loudly as he turns the accelerator and takes a round in the park. “I think I will come back here later with my parents,” he says after the ride. An inscription says the park was inaugurated by former Chief Minister K Kamaraj in 1962. It was set up to teach school children and the public about traffic rules and safety on roads.
Initially, the park was maintained by the staff of the Police Recruit School (PRS). Later Rotary Club of Coimbatore joined in. From 2004, the home guards took over and the park was renovated with the help of Poppy’s Group of Companies.
It was revamped twice later, in 2010 and in 2016. Currently, the Children’s Traffic Park is maintained by the Coimbatore City Police in association with The Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt Ltd. According to Prabhu Nagaraj, Vice President, Brand and Communication of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt Ltd , “Over 100,000 people, of which 74,000 are children were trained in the park from January 2017”.
The park is neat and on a milestone at the entrance is marked, ‘Play Area 75 m’. Tall trees line the road that is well laid and has zebra crossings, traffic signals, road signs, a model watch tower, and a wooden bridge. There is also a classroom that can accommodate 50 students and has a LED screen. There is also a permanent exhibit of traffic aid equipment like a ‘stop’ board, reflective pattern light, reflective gloves and jacket, traffic cones, caps, masks and rain coats. Shrividya R, a teacher at Yuvabharathi Public School, says that the sessions are helping her students. “I bring them here very often. Kids who attend these sessions are able to answer questions regarding traffic rules at school.”
The play area also has swings and a merry-go-round. Olive R, a class VII student who visits the park with her father, says, “I learnt many traffic rules here. I know now that speeding is dangerous and that we should always wear helmets while riding. But most of all, I love the play area and the watch tower.”
There are morning sessions that are reserved for students. The rest of the public can make use of the facilities in the afternoons. “The training is based on age of the participant, ” says a trainer. There is primary activity for five to eight years old where they are taught how to cross roads and learn basic traffic rules with the help of board games. There is cycling for five to 12 year olds and single-geared motorcycle training for nine to 12 year olds.
There is cycling and riding for women over 18 years. Sandya K, a student who is here to learn how to ride a two-wheeler, says, “I have applied for a driving license and the trainers here are patient and have given me the confidence to ride.”
Info you can use
The park is open on all days except Sundays
Schools need to register beforehand in order to use the facilities
All activities are provided free of cost.
Open from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
Call 8190000700 or dreamriding@ctpcoimbatore.in for details
