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Cycle lanes coming up in Koramangala, HSR Layout

Last Updated 22 August 2017, 15:01 IST

Work is in progress on dedicated cycle lanes in Koramangala and HSR Layout. The lanes also cover Sarjapur Road, Outer Ring Road, Ibbaluru Junction and Jakkasandra Cross.

Work on the Rs 20.47 crore project began last month, and is likely to be completed by February or March 2018. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is planning the lanes in association with the Karnataka government’s department of urban land transport (DULT). The authorities plan to instal CCTV cameras to keep an eye on motorists who stray into the cycle lanes.

“The tracks stretch 27.5 km on the main roads. We want to make sure no motorist enters the cycle lane,” said Nandeesh J R, executive engineer, Traffic Engineering Cell (TEC), BBMP. Some companies have volunteered to fund the CCTV cameras.

In HSR Layout, the authorities have painted the entire lane green, but it has no physical barrier to prevent other vehicles from straying into it.

In Jayanagar
Bengaluru got its first dedicated cycle lane in 2012, with a 40 km stretch in Jayanagar. But with no enforcement, the project failed. People use the lanes to park cars and two-wheelers.

Cycle lanes are typically 1.5 metres wide and are marked out on the left of the road. A traffic expert said he was sceptical about cycle lanes in Bengaluru.

“The idea has been successful in cities like New York because they have wide roads and motorists follow lane discipline,” said Prof M N Srihari. He said the BBMP should not waste money on cycle lanes without proper planning.

Cyclists welcome the move. “Cycle lanes provide last-mile connectivity for working people using public transport. Many young people prefer cycling to office. They pedal to work during peak hours, and moreover, cycling has health and fitness benefits,” said Aditya Mendonca, founder, South Fire Cycling group.

DH News Service

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(Published 21 August 2017, 21:30 IST)

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