Panel to find ways of promoting bicycles, 'three-phase policy' likely to be devi

The Delhi government will constitute a special committee to chalk out ways to promote cycling in the city.

According to Transport Minister Gopal Rai, the committee is likely to be appointed during the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-headed review meeting on the odd-even scheme on January 18.

The committee will chalk out a three-phase policy to popularise cycling among Delhiites. The first phase will aim at promoting the use of bicycles for daily needs like buying grocery from the local shop. Earlier, the AAP government had announced subsidising cycles using odd-even challan collection. Violators cough up Rs 2,000 as fine, as per the odd-even rule.

Rai on Wednesday said more funds will be released to subsidise cycling.
In the second phase, the government will focus on marking of cycle lanes on main roads. The third phase will concentrate on building cycle stands at Metro stations, bus queue shelters and residential colonies.

The public bike-sharing facility will enable people to take cycles on rent from a residential area and travel to the nearest Metro station or bus stand, and vice versa.

Meanwhile, the Transport Minister on Wednesday relaunched a bicycle rental shelter at Rohini East Metro station.

According to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, cycle rental service is available at 12 Metro stations. Two more cycle stands are coming up in Kohat and Rithala Metro station on Red Line.