Bangalore waits for cyclothon - and dedicated lanes

BANGALORE - Many are getting ready to wheel off and have a good time when this city holds its first cyclothon in October. But enthusiasts say Bangalore sorely needs dedicated lanes for cyclists.

The Oct 11 cyclothon will cover a maximum distance of 50 km. There is a fun ride event along with it for youngsters between eight and 12 years.

The 50-km competition called ‘Elite’ is for both professional, competitive athletes and amateurs. The other events are Corporate Race (25 km), Green Race (25 km), Teen Ride (13-17 years, five kilometres), and Fun Ride (8-12 years, two kilometres).

The BSA Hercules Cyclothon Bengaluru 09 is being jointly organised by TI Cycles of India, manufacturers of BSA Hercules cycles, and Sport18, a media house.

“We aim to help put Bengaluru on the international cycling map as well as contribute to a healthier and greener environment through the BSA Hercules Cyclothon Bengaluru 09,” said D. Raghuram, president of TI Cycles, at a function to unveil the cyclothon’s logo here Tuesday.

Karnataka chief secretary Sudhakar Rao, who was chief guest at the function, termed the cyclothon “a fun-filled and meaningful event”.

“Cycling needs to be promoted for its various benefits and (the Karnataka) government is also planning to develop cycling tracks soon,” Rao added.

The organisers expect around 7,000 cycling enthusiasts from Bangalore and other parts of India to participate in the cyclothon.

Welcoming the choice of Bangalore as the venue for the cylothon, cycling enthusiasts in the city told IANS that to turn Bangalore into India’s cycling capital, there should be designated cycling lanes.

“It’s a good news that Bangalore, where there are a large number of cyclists, is going to have India’s first ever cyclothon,” said Ravi Ranjan Kumar, managing trustee of Ride A Cycle Foundation (RACF), a cycling club.

“In order to make cycling sustainable, designated lanes for cyclists is a must in Bangalore. Otherwise to cycle in congested roads of Bangalore is a difficult job,” added Kumar.

The Foundation has already sent a memorandum to the city’s administration to make cycling lanes mandatory. “Hope our request will be soon attended,” said Kumar.

The main grouse of the cyclist across the city is that riding a bicycle on Bangalore’s busy roads is hazardous.

“If dedicated cycling lanes are provided, many enthusiasts may be ready to use them. Dedicated lanes will ensure a safer journey for the cyclist,” said Sharath Raju, a cycling enthusiast.

Echoing Raju, Rehana Mohammad, an IT professional and cycling enthusiast, said using cycles as a mode of transportation could solve so many problems.

“Cycling could be a popular mode of transportation that would help in addressing global warming and pollution problems too. However, if proper infrastructure like cycling lanes is not there, it will be difficult for cyclists to move around the city,” said Rehana.

Cyclists constitute 15 percent of the traffic on roads and organisations promoting cycling are positive that more people will take it up if some space is made available to them.

According to figures available with Bangalore Police, the city of around eight million people has 3.4 million vehicles, of which 70 percent are two-wheelers, 15 percent light vehicles, 10 percent city buses and five percent autorickshaws.

(Maitreyee Boruah can be contacted at m.boruah@ians.in)