KOCHI: A public bike (bicycle) sharing system under which commuters can use bicycles free of cost to travel short distance within the Greater Kochi limits will be launched here on June 5 (World Environment Day). KMRL Managing Director Elias George will launch the initiative.
The bike sharing system is part of efforts by the metro agency to encourage non-motorised transport systems and environmental-friendly transportation modes. The initiative will be carried out in collaboration with Athi’s Bicycle Club.
Accordingly, bicycles will be available at Menaka (opposite Taj Gateway Hotel and near KTDC reception centre); South railway station - Vivekananda Road (next to station entrance); North railway station (under North bridge); Kaloor (opposite private bus stand), and Kaloor-Kadavanthra road. The metro agency is also in the process of setting up dedicated cycle paths, pedestrian corridors, and walkway-cum-recreational spaces.
The bicycle sharing system is a membership programme, wherein members have to send SMS for using bicycles, which can be taken from any rack and returned to any desired rack in the city. Members should ensure that bicycles are locked after returning them to the rack. They can be used free of cost for up to 100 hours every month, and the usage will automatically get blocked beyond 100 hours.
“Metro rail systems, by their very structure, induce and incentivise people to walk to and from metro stations, and hence KMRL is committed to encouraging non-motorised mobility options like walking and cycling in Kochi. The project being undertaken through an NGO in Kochi is in the nature of a pilot venture. KMRL proposes to catalyse similar bike-sharing schemes to cover the entire city in due course,” Mr. George said.
The SMS formats are: to take a bicycle: rack code<space> bicycle-ID (e.g. mka 3112) to 9645511155
To return a bicycle: rack code<space>bicycle-ID (e.g. sth 3112) to 9744011777
To take membership: name*address*email-ID*profession (e.g. anjana s*snra 32, amritha nagar,kaloor,kochi-18*anjana123@gmail.com*student) to 9645511155.
