Can a traffic-choked city like Bengaluru be convinced to adopt more sustainable modes of transport, such as cycling and walking? How safe is the ‘IT’ and ‘garden’ city for cyclists and pedestrians?
In an interview with The Hindu, Satya Sankaran, the first Bicycle Mayor of Bengaluru, talks about what needs to be done to encourage cycling in the city.
What do you have to tell about the city’s cycling infrastructure?
There is absolutely no infrastructure for cyclists in the city. The system lacks empathy towards cyclists and pedestrians. When the roads are laid or even planned, there are no dedicated tracks for cyclists or walkers. The authorities do not realise the risk cyclists face while riding on service roads. It can be fatal sometimes. There should be data-linked planning. Outer Ring Road, Silk Board and Hebbal are where over half the IT companies are located, and these roads are mostly affected by traffic congestion. We need dedicated cycle lanes in these areas immediately to help decongest them.
What initiatives did you take after being selected as Bicycle Mayor?
One of our first initiatives was the ‘Cycle to Work’ campaign, which was launched on September 22, 2018. Around 400 people from 115 companies participated. The participants were tracked with a device while they cycled to work. Three participants were felicitated for travelling to work by cycle on most days. Cycling ambassadors were chosen in various companies and given the task of making more employees choose cycling to work. This way, we tried to introduce cycling to the corporate sector. This campaign had a big reach among corporate employees.
Has ‘Public Bicycle Sharing’ become a reality?
We are taking small steps to make it reach its full potential. Ideally, we must have at least 20,000 bicycles on the roads, but we have only a few hundred now. Cycle manufacturers are coming up with innovative ideas to attract more non-bicycle riders. Among other things, they have introduced cargo bicycles and folding bicycles.
What are your plans for the rest of your term as Bicycle Mayor?
'Cycle to Work' and an 'Empathy Building Programme' among the other users of roads are my priorities. But as a cycle riding enthusiast and as a sustainable transport activist, I wish to make the city dependent on walking and cycling. I think those two modes of travelling are the only way forward. With many developed countries around the world adopting cycling for everyday commute, we as a developing country must do so too.
Published - February 16, 2019 10:11 pm IST
