Civic groups plan 23 cycle stands in HSR Layout

 Cyclists in HSR Layout will no longer have to struggle for space as designated cycle parking structures will come up in their locality soon. 

Bicycle stands will be set up at 23 places in HSR Layout under the ‘Cycle Stand Project’ proposed by HSR Cyclist Group, along with SPNIT (Somsundarpalya Neighbourhood Improvement Trust). These parking spaces will come up at bus stops, supermarkets, temples, banks and other public places. The two groups proposed the idea in an attempt to encourage cycling among residents and also help create infrastructure for the cyclists.

The two groups submitted the proposal to United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in May 2015, when the UTC had launched the Neighbourhood Improvement Partnership Challenge. After a series of presentations and discussions, the project was selected as one of the 12 projects to be executed as  part of the United Technologies CSR programme, in December last year.

“There will be two kinds of stands – open and closed. While closed stand will come up at six bus stops, open stands will be established in places like malls, temples among other public points. The cyclists can lock their cycles in the stands and there is no parking fee,” said Shashidhara K, a member of the HSR Cyclist Group. He said that there were around 350-400 cyclists in the locality and all of them would be benefitted by the proposed parking spots.

While the estimates of the work is yet to be known, the project team members said the approval was on the way from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike ( BBMP) and Bangalore Traffic Police (BTP) for the project completely funded by the UTC. The work is expected to be completed in four months.

The members from the SPNIT and the cyclist group have identified the locations for setting up cycle stands through Google maps. “We have completed the surveys and ready with the sketches of the parking models. A few days ago, we had held a meeting to discuss on how to go with project implementation. The Palike will be lending us a helping hand by giving their suggestions,” said Sankar S, another member of the HSR Cyclist Group.