Junior Correspondent: ‘Separate lanes for cyclists will ensure safety, ease traffic’

I love cycling and I ride to school every day. So do many of my friends. Since I live close to my school, it is the best option. However, when I talk to other friends, who either get dropped by their parents or take public transport to school, they say that riding a cycle is not very safe. I realised that safety is indeed one of the reasons why many people fear to ride a cycle in the city. I am taught in the school about how important it is to save energy. We are told to switch off electrical appliances when not in use, use as little water as possible to finish daily chores, and also move to renewable energy sources. We are also encouraged to walk or ride a bicycle instead of depending on other modes of transport that run on petrol and diesel. 

Despite this, there has been no initiative to create safe lanes for cyclists. Time and again we hear about cyclists being hit by speeding vehicles. We often see how the cyclists are treated badly on roads. Motorists keep honking at them till they are out of the road. 

The city needs proper cycling lanes to encourage not just youngsters but also adults to take to the habit. The lanes will make it faster for us to reach school and other destinations. It will also ease traffic on the road and decrease each individual’s carbon footprint.