NEW DELHI: On Tuesday last week, a cyclist was killed by a car near Chirag Dilli. He was cycling down the road instead of the cycle tracks running along the erstwhile BRT stretch in south Delhi. But it really wasn’t the cyclist’s fault because misuse and lack of maintenance have rendered the cycle tracks between Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Khanpur nearly unusable. Cyclists, therefore, stray on to the road, putting their lives at risk.
The cycle tracks that were designed to aid non-motorised vehicles now only act as a convenient facility for motorcyclists trying to race ahead of the cars. At many spots, the tracks have turned into parking areas for carts. Some portions of the tracks near Madangir have even lost out of encroachments.
Near the Archana crossing at Greater Kailash, commuters merrily mill around on the cycling tracks awaiting their bus at a newly built stop there. Cyclists also pointed out how the track nearby has abandoned Jersey barriers blocking the progress. “I find it safer to cycle down the road. Even though vehicles rush by dangerously close to me, I reach work earlier,” said Deepak Kumar, a gardener who works in Greater Kailash and cycles to work from Madangir. Kumar said being knocked down by rash bikers while using the cycle track is a bigger risk.
According to a police estimate, almost 50,000 cyclists are on this stretch every day because it connects colonies like Panchsheel and Greater Kailash with Madangir and Khanpur.
Others riders also complain that in order to exit the cycle track, one has to pedal to the exit points near the traffic signals. “The tracks seem to have been built for those who cycle for leisure. We cannot waste time or energy in getting on and off the tracks while going to work,” said Pappu, who runs a small mechanic workshop at Andrews Ganj.
When TOI travelled down the stretch, the cycle tracks were occupied by motorcyclists or pedestrians. For most pedestrians, the tracks have served as footpaths after the dismantling of BRT system.
In similar disregard for the aim with which the cycling tracks were created, people idle their cars on the tracks on the Lajpat Nagar flyover while they feed pigeons.
Near Chirag Dilli and Press Enclave Road, TOI saw the footpath and the cycle track occupied by roadside mechanics or littered with building materials from a construction site.
A footbridge was also being erected on the tracks near the petrol pump opposite Jahanpanah forest in Chirag Dilli.
The second footbridge near Madangir was also constructed eating up a part of the cycle track, while the length between Satpula drain near Pushp Vihar and Khanpur had cars parked on it.
Police claim they book vehicles driving illegally on the cycle tracks, but said most manage to evade their scrutiny.
The cycle tracks that were designed to aid non-motorised vehicles now only act as a convenient facility for motorcyclists trying to race ahead of the cars. At many spots, the tracks have turned into parking areas for carts. Some portions of the tracks near Madangir have even lost out of encroachments.
Near the Archana crossing at Greater Kailash, commuters merrily mill around on the cycling tracks awaiting their bus at a newly built stop there. Cyclists also pointed out how the track nearby has abandoned Jersey barriers blocking the progress. “I find it safer to cycle down the road. Even though vehicles rush by dangerously close to me, I reach work earlier,” said Deepak Kumar, a gardener who works in Greater Kailash and cycles to work from Madangir. Kumar said being knocked down by rash bikers while using the cycle track is a bigger risk.
According to a police estimate, almost 50,000 cyclists are on this stretch every day because it connects colonies like Panchsheel and Greater Kailash with Madangir and Khanpur.
Others riders also complain that in order to exit the cycle track, one has to pedal to the exit points near the traffic signals. “The tracks seem to have been built for those who cycle for leisure. We cannot waste time or energy in getting on and off the tracks while going to work,” said Pappu, who runs a small mechanic workshop at Andrews Ganj.
When TOI travelled down the stretch, the cycle tracks were occupied by motorcyclists or pedestrians. For most pedestrians, the tracks have served as footpaths after the dismantling of BRT system.
In similar disregard for the aim with which the cycling tracks were created, people idle their cars on the tracks on the Lajpat Nagar flyover while they feed pigeons.
Near Chirag Dilli and Press Enclave Road, TOI saw the footpath and the cycle track occupied by roadside mechanics or littered with building materials from a construction site.
A footbridge was also being erected on the tracks near the petrol pump opposite Jahanpanah forest in Chirag Dilli.
The second footbridge near Madangir was also constructed eating up a part of the cycle track, while the length between Satpula drain near Pushp Vihar and Khanpur had cars parked on it.
Police claim they book vehicles driving illegally on the cycle tracks, but said most manage to evade their scrutiny.
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