Space concerns weigh high on dedicated cycle lane project

The ambitious segregated cycle corridor project proposed by the Department of Urban Land Transport (DULT) calls for a reality check as existing cycle tracks in the City have not been put into effective use.

The cycle tracks earmarked by DULT two years ago have become parking lots and in some places the tracks run right into the bus bays.

In order to discourage people from using these tracks as parking zones and to ensure that it is not encroached by motorists, the DULT has proposed kerbs and fences to maintain the space exclusively for cyclists. Recently, the department announced its plans to develop 13.5 km of such tracks in Jayanagar, HSR Layout and Yelahanka at a cost of Rs 13 crore. 

However, shop owners and residents have raised questions about the feasibility of the revised project plan. Not just this, the traffic police too find themselves in a tight spot. 

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), B Dayananda, told Deccan Herald that the traffic police were not going strict on the cycle tracks since they had not been notified by a competent authority. With regard to the proposed project, he said that no such plans had been brought to the notice of the traffic police until now. 

Shrinking space

The cycle tracks, about two metre wide on either side of the road, would eat into the parking space. In a City where finding parking space is a nightmare, shopkeepers wonder how they would ensure parking space for customers. 

“It is true that roads are not meant for parking. But for that to be followed, the government has to provide an alternative parking space. Erecting kerbs will only congest the roads further,” said Venkatesh, who runs a bakery in Jayanagar. 

Voicing a similar concern, Nayan Shah, manager of Shah Bikes, who is a cycling enthusiast himself, said:“Some roads in the area are wide enough for implementing this project. But it is not feasible on all roads. Shops, especially, will face difficulties as there is no space for customers to park their vehicles.”

The DULT project, however, raises concern about the space struggle among motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

Long-term process

Murali H R of Ride A Cycle Foundation, who has been interacting with DULT over the project, holds an optimistic view. 

“It took 20 years in the Netherlands to reach a stage where cycling was completely integrated into traffic. It has to be integrated with parking and pedestrian movement. More over, the police lack awareness and hence they too have to be sensitised.

“We started five years ago, when cycles were looked down upon. Now cycles have got some status. Over the next five years, there will be more acceptance,” he said.