<p>Bengaluru traffic police say there is no restriction on running on public roads as long as it’s done in small groups and does not disrupt traffic. This also applies to public roads cutting through private layouts. For larger gatherings, prior permission is required from both traffic, and law and order police, said Gopal M Byakod, <br>DCP (traffic south). </p>.<p>On Sunday, a Bengaluru-based running group posted a video on Instagram showing a man objecting to their members running in Electronics City Phase 1. Titled ‘Is running illegal in India?’, the post claimed they were running on the road without blocking traffic or causing disturbance, yet were allegedly “threatened” by “local traffic regulators”. The situation was defused after intervention by a Quick Response Team. The group of 40 completed their 3-km morning run. </p>.<p>Speaking to <em>Metrolife</em>, Gaurav Dobriyal, a core member of the group, m1le Run Club, claimed that the same man had confronted them three times over the past three weeks. Dobriyal believes the man is a private security guard, though his identity could not be verified. </p>.<p>“About two-and-a-half months ago, we informed the Electronics City traffic police that we were starting a non-commercial club. They were okay with it but asked us not to assemble on public roads. Following their suggestion, we took permission from a cafe to use its private parking lot. We warm up there for 15 minutes, with music from our phones, and then head out to run individually,” he shared.</p>.Staggered shifts, shared rides: Will it save Bengaluru's ORR from drowning in traffic?.<p>Dobriyal added that while the man had earlier objected only at the parking lot, this time he confronted them twice on the road, once outside a hotel and again near Wipro Junction. Anticipating trouble, he said the group had brought a tripod to record the incident, and now plans to approach the police. </p>.<p><strong>Community tips</strong></p>.<p>Other running groups say such incidents are unheard of, especially in Electronics City, which has a vibrant running culture. <em>Metrolife</em> has learnt that no stretches in the area are marked as no-running zones, though runners are encouraged to use footpaths to avoid speeding vehicles. </p>.<p>Ajay Jaishankar and Hanumesh Hosamani, training heads at different centres of JJs Running Academy, advised social running clubs to split into smaller, scattered groups after assembling, to avoid obstructing traffic or pedestrian movement. They also recommend running against the flow of traffic to better see oncoming vehicles, and keeping music or noise levels low to maintain public decorum. Tushar Shetty, founder of the BEL Bullets Run Club, suggested that runners avoid crowding at roadside cafes post runs to film reels or celebrate. </p>.<p>DCP (traffic east) Sahil Bagla urged runners to call 112 or visit the local police station for help.</p>
<p>Bengaluru traffic police say there is no restriction on running on public roads as long as it’s done in small groups and does not disrupt traffic. This also applies to public roads cutting through private layouts. For larger gatherings, prior permission is required from both traffic, and law and order police, said Gopal M Byakod, <br>DCP (traffic south). </p>.<p>On Sunday, a Bengaluru-based running group posted a video on Instagram showing a man objecting to their members running in Electronics City Phase 1. Titled ‘Is running illegal in India?’, the post claimed they were running on the road without blocking traffic or causing disturbance, yet were allegedly “threatened” by “local traffic regulators”. The situation was defused after intervention by a Quick Response Team. The group of 40 completed their 3-km morning run. </p>.<p>Speaking to <em>Metrolife</em>, Gaurav Dobriyal, a core member of the group, m1le Run Club, claimed that the same man had confronted them three times over the past three weeks. Dobriyal believes the man is a private security guard, though his identity could not be verified. </p>.<p>“About two-and-a-half months ago, we informed the Electronics City traffic police that we were starting a non-commercial club. They were okay with it but asked us not to assemble on public roads. Following their suggestion, we took permission from a cafe to use its private parking lot. We warm up there for 15 minutes, with music from our phones, and then head out to run individually,” he shared.</p>.Staggered shifts, shared rides: Will it save Bengaluru's ORR from drowning in traffic?.<p>Dobriyal added that while the man had earlier objected only at the parking lot, this time he confronted them twice on the road, once outside a hotel and again near Wipro Junction. Anticipating trouble, he said the group had brought a tripod to record the incident, and now plans to approach the police. </p>.<p><strong>Community tips</strong></p>.<p>Other running groups say such incidents are unheard of, especially in Electronics City, which has a vibrant running culture. <em>Metrolife</em> has learnt that no stretches in the area are marked as no-running zones, though runners are encouraged to use footpaths to avoid speeding vehicles. </p>.<p>Ajay Jaishankar and Hanumesh Hosamani, training heads at different centres of JJs Running Academy, advised social running clubs to split into smaller, scattered groups after assembling, to avoid obstructing traffic or pedestrian movement. They also recommend running against the flow of traffic to better see oncoming vehicles, and keeping music or noise levels low to maintain public decorum. Tushar Shetty, founder of the BEL Bullets Run Club, suggested that runners avoid crowding at roadside cafes post runs to film reels or celebrate. </p>.<p>DCP (traffic east) Sahil Bagla urged runners to call 112 or visit the local police station for help.</p>