For Safe Cycling

Two BJP MPs, Mansukh L Mandaviya and Arjun Ram, became internet sensations when their pictures of riding bicycles to reach the Parliament for their oath-taking ceremony on May 30 went viral. It is a delight to see politicians think and act responsibly for the environment. 

With more and more Indians taking up fitness, the number of cyclists across the country has increased substantially. Cyclists are encouraging others to use this eco-friendly mode of transport, and also helping raise awareness for a cause. 

Pune has always been a cycle-friendly city and riders from here have made their presence felt at national and international cycling events and championships. However, with the increasing number of vehicles on the road, more and more cyclists are finding it tough to jostle for space. Besides, the city does not have many cycle tracks to make it safe for riders. On World Bicycle Day, we ask professional cyclists and cycling enthusiasts how safe are Pune roads? 

PLAN A RING ROAD
While studying in Australia, Chaitanya Velhal, who is an ultra cyclist, Ironman, triathlete, scientist, sports nutritionist and cycling coach, found bicycle the most convenient and cheapest way to commute. When he came back to India, he continued to use the bicycle and took it up professionally too. “I train a lot, coach people and use cycle as a medium of transport,” says the former professor at Savitribai Phule Pune University.  
 
However, he doesn’t really feel safe cycling in India, especially Pune. “I have met with a few accidents while cycling. In fact, I had to take one of the students to a hospital as he suffered a broken leg when a motorcycle rider coming from the wrong side of the road hit him. That’s just the traffic condition. Roads in Pune aren’t great for cycling. I have travelled across different states of the country and they have much better, wider and well-maintained roads with footpaths that make it easier for cyclists to move. Although I haven’t seen many dedicated cycle tracks elsewhere, road conditions are much better than what we have in Pune,” he says.
  
He also believes that cyclists must also ensure their own safety by wearing bright coloured reflective clothes, helmets and using lights when it is dark. “We should follow traffic rules as much as possible. It is important to educate everyone around about road safety and make it safer for cyclists too. We have been in touch with local bodies and authorities to implement rules for commuters and also got pebbles and gravels on the sides of roads — which cyclists basically use — removed to make cycling experience better for them,” he adds.  
 
Velhal says that in spite of all the hurdles, the number of cyclists is rapidly increasing in the city and people are willing to invest in expensive bicycles now. Speaking of his expectations from Smart City plan for cyclists he says that since there is a lack of parallel roads or alternative routes in Pune leading to the same destination, it causes congestion on the roads adding to cyclists’ woes. “For example, Bengaluru has a much better block system that enables commuters to choose from multiple roads to reach a certain place, hence reducing traffic on only one route. As a part of the Smart City plan, one of the main things that can be taken into consideration is that roads need to be designed carefully to help commuters reach the heart of the city with lesser chaos or perhaps something like a ring road will also reduce the impact of traffic,” he suggests, adding that Pune’s weather, forts, hills and lakes make it a great city to pedal around. 

RESPECT CYCLISTS 
Anupam Khanduja, professional cyclist, runner, Ironman triathlete, has been cycling since 2015. This environmentally-conscious individual also cycles to work, travelling a distance of almost 50 km everyday, from Vishal Nagar to Kharadi and back home. But the daily commute is full of challenges. 

“It is disappointing that nobody respects cyclists. Cyclists should be provided dedicated cycle tracks or at least given enough space on the road. People in cars and motorbikes aren’t considerate enough and not compassionate towards us. They are always in a hurry and try to overtake from the wrong side of the road. I don’t think cyclists are very safe on roads. Unfortunately, I am a witness to mishaps where cyclists has been hit by vehicles and sadly, some of them have even lost their lives,” laments Khanduja. 
 
He says that the situation is even worse at night when people simply don’t care about the slow moving cyclists. Khanduja adds that despite all these hurdles, nothing should stop or discourage a cyclist. He hopes that things will change with a change in people’s outlook. “We, as cyclists, cannot really help change the scenario. It has a lot to do with the thinking of people, only if they try to understand the challenges faced by cyclists on a day-to-day basis, they will be supportive. We can request the government authorities, traffic police and Pune Police to make stricter rules so that other vehicles don’t cause inconvenience to cyclists,” says Khanduja. 
  
He feels that although the Smart City initiative is trying to help cyclists, authorities have to ensure that pavements, footpaths and cycling tracks are not misused. “Often, motorcyclists use the routes and tracks meant for cyclists. This has to stop. The authorities must also look into levelling the roads so that a cyclist finds it easy to make the transition from a cycling track to a road,” he adds.  

App-based sharing cycling services like Ofo, Yulu, PEDL were launched in Pune sometime back, however, there have been a decline in the number of users. Khanduja says that people need to be responsible towards such initiatives and take care of the services and amenities being provided. “If the government or authorities is providing such  facilities to people, then the users too must not misuse it. Many users do not park the cycles at the designated places, cycles have their locks missing and so on. In fact, many of the cycles were even stolen. Such incidents will discourage the government to come up with such kind of initiatives in the future,” he shares.  

TRACKS AREN’T PARKING SPOTS   
Sayali Maharao, 21, a student of Shahu College, Parvati Ramana, Pune, cycled from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 35 days covering a distance of 4,000 km to spread awareness of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign. She made this journey with her friend Pooja Budhawale In 2017. 

For her daily commute to college and other places within Pune, she always cycles, but she too thinks that cyclists have a tough time navigating the roads and negotiating the traffic. “At times, the roads are so crowded that it is difficult for cyclists to move. Many a time, those overtaking us, aren’t careful enough. Although we do wear helmets, it is really scary because cyclists’ safety is the last priority. Some drivers even hit cyclists and at times it leads to serious injuries.”
 
Maharao, who, along with her friend, completed a distance of 3,900 km cycling from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat in 2018 to create awareness of women empowerment and plastic pollution, says that despite the road conditions in Pune the number of cyclists and cycling groups in the city is growing and it is endearing to see the rising number of women and senior citizen cyclists here.
  
She feels that World Bicycle Day should become as big an event as World Yoga Day to encourage more and more people to take up cycling. Speaking of the roadblocks for cyclists, she says, “If cycle tracks are made,  they should strictly be used by cyclists and not end up becoming unethical parking spot for cars and motorbikes,” says Maharao adding, “Professional and experienced cyclists still can manage but those who are learning to ride need these tracks to practise and learn.”