KOLKATA: Cyclists would be treated on a par with other motorists and drivers when it came to maintaining traffic discipline on roads returning to normalcy after lockdown, indicated Lalbazar. But for now, cops might let off errant riders with a warning without penalize them. Instead, those found following road rules might be rewarded to encourage safe cycling practices.
All 25 traffic guards in the city claimed managing cycles on roads was becoming a challenge. “Whether a cyclist takes a right, a left or a u-turn, we hope he or she follows traffic lights, just like other persons at the wheel of other vehicles. Not every cyclist is doing that at present,” said an ACP in central Kolkata. Citing the bike-cycle accident at Hastings 48 hours ago, an officer said, “Analyzing the CCTV footage, we found both the biker as well as the cyclist were at fault as they had disregarded the signal near Turf View and the bike rammed into the cycle.” Echoing him, another cop at the strand Road-MG Road crossing said not all riding cycles stopped at red lights. “In footage after footage, many are seen violating the stopline or never bothering to stop at signals.” Cops claimed with a spurt of motorcycles on the road, which were also violating rules, they found it difficult to manage two completely different sets of two-wheelers.
But for a beginning, they do not plan a crackdown. “Many people are being forced to use cycle and we must give them time to adopt to the rules. For now, we want to promote good cycling practices and want to reward those who follow the rules. They can act as an example,” said a Lalbazar officer. Police also plan a “safe parking” policy for them. “The relaxation will be on till July 30. The time could be enough to promote safe cycling,” said an OC from South Kolkata traffic guard.
For future, police have decided on a few provisions under which cyclists can be penalized. “Since Motor Vehicles Act will not be applicable, we will use the Kolkata Police Act, under which cycles of errant riders might be confiscated,” an officer said. Police also said vans and carts would not be included in the “relaxations” provided to cyclists.
All 25 traffic guards in the city claimed managing cycles on roads was becoming a challenge. “Whether a cyclist takes a right, a left or a u-turn, we hope he or she follows traffic lights, just like other persons at the wheel of other vehicles. Not every cyclist is doing that at present,” said an ACP in central Kolkata. Citing the bike-cycle accident at Hastings 48 hours ago, an officer said, “Analyzing the CCTV footage, we found both the biker as well as the cyclist were at fault as they had disregarded the signal near Turf View and the bike rammed into the cycle.” Echoing him, another cop at the strand Road-MG Road crossing said not all riding cycles stopped at red lights. “In footage after footage, many are seen violating the stopline or never bothering to stop at signals.” Cops claimed with a spurt of motorcycles on the road, which were also violating rules, they found it difficult to manage two completely different sets of two-wheelers.
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The safety factor is important and unsafe practices must be penalised. But we should also look at other methods to enhance cyclists’ safety. Cycling increasingly looks like an important part of our commute.
But for a beginning, they do not plan a crackdown. “Many people are being forced to use cycle and we must give them time to adopt to the rules. For now, we want to promote good cycling practices and want to reward those who follow the rules. They can act as an example,” said a Lalbazar officer. Police also plan a “safe parking” policy for them. “The relaxation will be on till July 30. The time could be enough to promote safe cycling,” said an OC from South Kolkata traffic guard.
For future, police have decided on a few provisions under which cyclists can be penalized. “Since Motor Vehicles Act will not be applicable, we will use the Kolkata Police Act, under which cycles of errant riders might be confiscated,” an officer said. Police also said vans and carts would not be included in the “relaxations” provided to cyclists.
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