Cycle-sharing system gets a thumbs up

Students can pick up bicycles from Vishwavidyalaya station and drop them off at Ramjas College or vice versa

In a major relief, North Campus students will no longer have to return their rented bicycles at the Vishwavidyalaya metro station.

The bustling area got its first “public cycle sharing” system on Wednesday, where users can pick up bicycles from Vishwavidyalaya metro station and drop them off at Ramjas College or vice versa.

Free of cost

Besides this, the facility will remain free till March next year. So far, north campus, which houses the biggest cluster of Delhi University colleges, was equipped with just one cycle shelter at Vishwavidyalaya metro station. The facility was hardly used by the youth, most of whom preferred to travel by e-rickshaws or cycle rickshaws. This gap in the last-mile connectivity is now all set to be filled by the new cycle-sharing system.

“The shelters are set to benefit students of not just Ramjas College, but also those from Hindu College, St. Stephen’s College, Kirori Mal College, Daulat Ram College and the Delhi School of Economics. The students will be able to pick up a bicycle from gate number 3 of Vishwavidyalaya station, drop it off at the shelter at Ramjas College after a ride of over 1.5 km and simply walk to these colleges,” said Atul Jain, founder of Delhi Cycles Private Limited, which has launched the facility in collaboration with Tech Mahindra Foundation.

The shelters have 40 bicycles at present. While the existing bicycle shelter at Vishwavidyalaya metro station sees just seven to 10 users daily, 70 smart cards were issued on Day One of the new system.

Kirori Mal College student Radhika Saxena was one of those who availed the facility on Wednesday. “The previous facility was hardly of any use since we had to drop the bicycle at the pick-up point. Now, with the new stand in the heart of North Campus, travelling is much easier.”

For many, the best part about the new service was that it was free. The previous rental bicycle system cost Rs.10 per hour.

On the safety of bicycles, Mr. Jain said: “In order to ensure the bicycles are not stolen, users will be asked for an ID and address proof. Besides, the bicycles have tubeless tyre. So punctures won’t be a problem.”

Bicycles can be picked up from Vishwavidyalaya station, dropped off at Ramjas College