Cyclists launch campaign against misuse of cycle lane on Outer Ring Road

By Manjunath Hadimani | NT

Bengaluru: With motorists encroaching the dedicated lane for cyclists on the Outer Ring Road (ORR), a cyclists community has launched a ‘save cycle lane’ campaign in Bengaluru.

Bikers say motorists often encroach on the cycle lane at the ORR. If cyclists question this, it will end up in altercations.

Sathyashankar, Bicycle Mayor of Bengaluru, said that the campaign has been launched because the cycle lane is being misused by motorists. People aren’t aware that the lane is dedicated only for cyclists.

“We aim to create awareness among people about the importance of cycle lane apart from preventing motorists from entering it,” he said.

Cyclists will hold the campaign once a week or once in 15 days. They are planning to stand at the entrance of the lane holding placards. “We are also requesting the police to take initiatives to stop motorists entering the lane. I feel the campaign has yielded the results. So far we have campaigned along the stretch from Agara to Marathahalli,” said the bicycle mayor.

Shilpi Sahu, an engineer with a private firm, ORR cyclists have been trying to resolve the issue with bikers. “The cycle lanes have become parking spaces in some places,” she said.

“I commute by cycle to my office which is five kilometres from where I stay. During the peak hours it becomes really difficult to use the cycle lane because of the jam created by motorists,” she said.

She said that security guards and house maids who use the cycles but aren’t aware that the lane is specially demarcated for cyclists.

“Motorists will continue using the lane unless the traffic police strictly stop the encroachers,” she said.