At a time when the government is still thinking of introducing a car-free day in tier-2 cities on the lines of the one observed in HSR Layout in Bengaluru recently, the Mangaluru Bicycle Club has decided to take forward the initiative from Saturday..
Members of the club and other like-minded persons have decided to shun their personal vehicles — two wheelers and cars — for the day and commute by any other means. It could be using the bus service or walking the distance to the workplace or using one’s bicycle; the enthusiastic participants appear committed to spread the message in society.
Club Founder Ganesh Nayak told The Hindu that car-free day is not just limited to using bicycles, for which the club stands for. The aim is to create awareness about the benefits of using public transport or non-polluting modes of transport as well as the air pollution hazards resulting from the use of personalised modes of transport. Leaving behind one’s personal vehicle at home would also mean lesser congestion on roads, Mr. Nayak said. The club, more of an informal association with over 200 members and 1,000 followers on its Facebook page, is planning the first car-free day without any fanfare. Even if 10 per cent of them participate in the drive, it would be a great boost to the initiative, Mr. Nayak said.
“We will collate the experiences of our members in the next two days and plan the future car-free day initiatives,” he said. Meanwhile, the club would also be releasing special T Shirts next week, which the interested may buy to use for the next car-free day.
Members have come forward with different ideas to realise the intent behind the drive. Sachith Suvarna, cyclist and an engineer, has decided to ferry at least one kid from his building to school and back home by means of non-polluting mode of transport.
Mr. Nayak said based on the experience, the club would approach various associations including the Rotary and the Lions, to take forward the initiative. They are also enthusiastic about the initiative, he said. Further, the initiative would be discussed with the district administration to make it a regular feature.
Even as the Mangaluru Bicycle Club is making efforts to enlighten the public about the car-free day, the public transport system, or the city bus service, in Mangaluru has remained awfully inadequate to the needs of general public.
“We know that operators have formed a cartel not allowing newcomers to provide bus services in the city. Once the car-free day is accepted by the public, we along with likeminded associations would urge the district administration to facilitate a comprehensive public transport system for the city,” Club Founder Ganesh Nayak told The Hindu . It would also be desirable on the part of the operators to introduce daily and monthly bus passes to commuters on the lines of BMTC in Bengaluru.
Besides offering freedom of travel, the system would also help the working class considerably, Mr. Nayak said.
