Cycle to work, but at your own risk!

Cycling to work is one of the fastest growing health fads in urban India. While it serves as a great workout option, it also helps in bringing one close to nature and reducing stress levels. More and more people are gladly ditching their air-conditioned cars and cycling to work. 

Armed with reflectors, protective cycling gear, sippers and gloves, many enthusiasts in the city seem ready to defy all odds to get to work on their cycles. However, bad roads, pavements and a negative attitude towards cyclists seem to be perpetual problems. 

Kavya S, a store manager was recently hit by a two-wheeler rider when she was cycling on RK Salai at 8 am. Thankfully, she was wearing a helmet and suffered only minor injuries. “I started cycling a week ago for fitness and contemplated on pedalling to work eventually. But I was surprised to see the behaviour of people towards cyclists in the city. Recently, a man on a bike took a steep turn and hit me from behind. I fell down and instead of helping me, he blamed me for cycling slow disrupting the flow of traffic. And interestingly, the road was almost empty and there was hardly any traffic around,” she recalls. 

“Most motorists are insensitive towards cyclists,” says Ramanujar Moulana, founder of Cycling Yogis, a group which pedals to historic places in and around Chennai. 

“I use cycle and public transportation to commute. While cycling I have noticed that people are inconsiderate about cyclists and sometimes come dangerously close. They honk and don’t even bother stopping, when we need to cross a road. The biggest culprits are the cab drivers who seem to be in a hurry always. We can’t blame the authorities for everything. It is the attitude that has to change,” he adds. 

As part of the Non Motorised Transport Policy of Chennai corporation, several pavements are to get a face-lift that allows ample space for pedestrians and cyclists. Pavements in some places have already been widened in several stretches but most of them are encroached. 

There are other measures that cyclists can take to ensure that they are safe. 

“Always wear a helmet and bright shirts. Cycles must have reflectors. If you plan to take busy roads, then ensure that you have a rear-view mirror. Many cyclists listen to loud music while riding. It could be dangerous as one has to have the sense of the road and the traffic, especially on the highways,” points out Sanjeev Ramki, an IT employee.