Karnataka Budget 2017: Cyclists, pedestrians get space
BENGALURU: In a move that will bring some cheer to bicycle users, the state gover nment has announced a public bicycle sharing system in select clusters of Bengaluru. The Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) runs a similar project in Mysuru.
Although the Budget is not clear on the number of bicycles and docking stations, the government will introduce, it aims to provide a “healthy, non-motorised, environmentalfriendly transport system“.
Darpan Jain, commissioner, DULT, pointed out that the “tremendous response“ to “Cycle Day“ events prompted the project. “45 docking stations are getting ready in Mysuru. Bengaluru will have many more,“ he said. “The project is aimed at integration with other modes of transport to address lastmile connectivity. The entire ride will be charged on hourly basis but free for the first thirty minutes. This is being done to encourage shortdistance commute without depending on motorised vehicles,“ he said.
The system will work without human interface. People would have to register by providing a security deposit of Rs 250, which is refundable.The movement of the loaned bicycle will be monitored. Welcoming the decision, Sathya Shankar, a cyclist, urged the government to also ear mark space for bicycle lanes. “Unless there is a dedicated bicycle lane, it is not safe to use bicycles,“ he said.
Urban mobility expert V Ravichandar welcomed the emphasis on pedestrian movement. He was skeptical on the proposed metro line between KR Puram and Silk Board.“The government has been talking about innovative financing techniques to fund the project on the ORR for too long. But it's not going anywhere,“ he noted.
Although the Budget is not clear on the number of bicycles and docking stations, the government will introduce, it aims to provide a “healthy, non-motorised, environmentalfriendly transport system“.
Darpan Jain, commissioner, DULT, pointed out that the “tremendous response“ to “Cycle Day“ events prompted the project. “45 docking stations are getting ready in Mysuru. Bengaluru will have many more,“ he said. “The project is aimed at integration with other modes of transport to address lastmile connectivity. The entire ride will be charged on hourly basis but free for the first thirty minutes. This is being done to encourage shortdistance commute without depending on motorised vehicles,“ he said.
The system will work without human interface. People would have to register by providing a security deposit of Rs 250, which is refundable.The movement of the loaned bicycle will be monitored. Welcoming the decision, Sathya Shankar, a cyclist, urged the government to also ear mark space for bicycle lanes. “Unless there is a dedicated bicycle lane, it is not safe to use bicycles,“ he said.
Urban mobility expert V Ravichandar welcomed the emphasis on pedestrian movement. He was skeptical on the proposed metro line between KR Puram and Silk Board.“The government has been talking about innovative financing techniques to fund the project on the ORR for too long. But it's not going anywhere,“ he noted.
