Cyclists demand better deal for non-motorists

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 30, 2015: The Police Commissioner S. Murugan on Nov 29, Sunday flagged off a bicycle rally wherein cyclists demanded better facilities for non-motorised transport in Mangaluru which is a part of Prime Minister Modi’s Smart City project.  PC Murugan, speaking with cyclists stressed the importance of giving space to non-motorised transport in a city like Mangaluru.

Rally :  The rally, organised by Mangaluru Bicycle Club, not less than 35 cyclists participating enthusiastically in the ride covering a distance of about 30 km. They would submit a memorandum to the Mangaluru City Corporation on Monday, which among other things, would include a demand to identify zones, lanes and sub-lanes for non-motorised transport.

The cyclists would also urge the administration to encourage educational institutions to promote cycling while officials would participate in bicycle rallies at regular intervals to spread the message. The club’s founder Ganesh Nayak, cyclists Ashokawardhana, Kishan Bangera, Donald Menezes, Anil Shreshtajna Shresht, P.N. Ramaraj, Murali Shankar also participated.

Other demands include, strict speed limit in 1 km radius of educational institutions between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to be enforced by traffic police to encourage students to take cycling; discouraging public transport vehicles including buses in using air horns that threaten pedestrians and cyclists and ensure they maintain speed limit; waive off VAT on bicycles to encourage more people to go for cycling; soft loans by banks to buy bicycles; curbing the street dog menace and many more.

At the same time cyclists too should follow certain norms, including compulsory wearing of helmets; riding on the left-side of the road; using flash lights, both front and rear, at night and other safety precautions.