Cycle tracks encroached upon by autos, vendors

City-based cyclist Ramesh K, a 28-year-old cyclist, often uses his bicycle to commute to work. “I have been doing that for a year now and I find that often cyclists are treated with disdain by other road users. In fact, while cycling on the roads leading to the Kamarajar Promenade, I came across cars parked right on the cycle track, sometimes even on top of the signage,” he said, in exasperation. 

The cycle track in KK Nagar too has the same fate – as it has been encroached by autos, cars and vendors. A senior Corporation official said that regular drives are carried out along with the traffic police to warn the encroachers. 

“But ultimately, the local community has to play a bigger role in ensuring that the cycle track is free of encroachment. The community must realise that it is their children who are using that track to cycle safely to their school. These tracks were built after we saw a large number of children cycling to school and wanted to create infrastructure for a safe commute,” added the official. Ramanujar Moulana, founder, Cycling Yogis, a citybased cycling group, said that the tracks on the Island Grounds roads and Kamarajar Promenade are fine. 

“The only worry is the safety due to the lackadaisical attitude of other vehicles. Cyclists have to be respected and other vehicle users should be sensitised to this. children should be taught from childhood that all stakeholders – car users, cyclists or pedestrians – have an equal right to the road. 

Many cyclists resort to cycling early in the morning or late at night, especially if they are doing it as a fitness activity,” he added. The Corporation is in the process of laying a 17-kilometer long cycle track looping Island Grounds, Marina and Besant Nagar beaches, to encourage more people to use non-motorised means of commuting. 

“We will be putting rumble strips on the cycle tracks, to ensure bigger vehicles don’t use these spaces meant for cyclists,” added the official.