Bengaluru: A multi-crore project to ensure our footpaths remain accessible to those choosing not to travel by motorised vehicles has ended up excluding cyclists.
The small but growing community of those who commute by cycles have called the design of TenderSure footpaths a ‘blunder’ when it comes to promoting greener forms of transport.
Srinidhi Sampat, a member of Praja who often cycles from his home in Basavanagudi to his office in NGEF, says the current system has made a ‘mockery’ of the original intent to promote cycling.
“On Residency Road and other TenderSURE roads, there are so many bollards and driveways that it is difficult for cyclists to traverse. Either they have to jostle with pedestrians or keep getting off to dodge parked cars,” he said.
At Richmond Road, there is a marked cycle track between the newly-laid footpath and road. The problem, however, is that often this track is encroached by cars, two-wheelers or parked cars.
“I didn’t even know the track existed as traffic and parked vehicles cover it entirely,” says Chidambaram Subramanian, who cycles from his home in J.P. Nagar towards Domlur.
Cyclists pointed out that if cycle tracks are not clearly cordoned off, they will end up like the ‘tracks’ in Jayanagar. In 2011, 40 kilometres of cycle tracks were laid in Jayanagar at a cost of Rs. 2.5 crore. However, the money went down the drain as motorists used the space for parking.
As TenderSURE weaves its way across the heart of the city, there is a patch that, cyclists say, could be a model for the others. The stretch between Hosmat Hospital and Richmond Road is barricaded and there is no bollard on the path to obstruct cyclists. It abuts a school compound and, hence, there is no commercial establishment on the stretch.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Executive Engineer Basavaraj Kabade, who is supervising implementation of seven TenderSURE roads in the Central Business District, admits to rampant misuse of cycle tracks. “For Richmond Road, we are planning to keep away other vehicles and prevent illegal parking. The only way cycling can be promoted is if norms are enforced,” he said.
