Bhubaneswar: Dedicated bicycle lanes, well-maintained paths, and secure parking facilities are necessary in the Capital to encourage more people to choose cycling as a viable mode of transport, cyclists opine on the World Cycling Day to be observed June 3. The cycling enthusiasts also said that cycling is a great means of transportation as it helps in reaching places without adding to air pollution. “Bicycles are a sustainable mode of transportation. They are eco-friendly and great for exercise. Cycling every day can improve heart health and muscle strength,” Piyush Ranjan Rout, an avid cyclist who has been nominated by Amsterdam-based social enterprise, BYCS, as a Bicycle Mayor, said. “As other cycling cities look to make it easier for people to pedal bicycle, for commuting or just for fun, Bhubaneswar offers lessons in re-thinking transportation infrastructure beyond the hegemony of the car,” he added.
Expressing his resentment, Santosh Kumar Rout, cyclist and executive member of Bhubaneswar Cycling and Adventure Club (BCAC) said, “The increasing number of two-wheelers and four-wheelers in City leaves little space for cycles to move. Precious little was done to lay dedicated cycle tracks; no serious move was made to make marked cycling space on roads free from bikers.” Another cyclist, Asrujit Mohanty pointed out that lanes dedicated for cycling are essential to promote this method of transportation among people. This, in turn, can lead to reduced dependence on private vehicles, resulting in less fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP