

KOLKATA: The city police have barred bicycles from 174 thoroughfares - a blanket ban in effect - catching cyclists unawares and leaving green activists aghast.

While advocates of the humble bicycle point out its environment-friendliness and health benefits and seek separate tracks - which are the global norm - instead of a ban, Kolkata Police cites the immense vehicular pressure on city roads and cyclists' safety to argue their case. "Bicycles and other non-motorised vehicles put great pressure on the city's troubled traffic situation," pointed out DC (traffic) Dilip Adak.

In remarkably speedy implementation of its order, the police have already started towing away cycles, without bothering to suggest an alternative for non-motorised vehicle users. The ban includes cycles, cycle vans, handcarts, pull-carts and bakery vans.

Though it's not technically a blanket ban, it is in effect. For instance, on James Long Sarani and Diamond Harbour Road, cycles will be allowed to ply from 2-3pm and from 11pm-6 am. It's even weirder on CIT Road. Here, cycles will be allowed between midnight and 6 am.

Cycling will, however, be allowed in areas like Salt Lake and Rajarhat. In the latter, the state government even intends to lay bicycle tracks. Elevated cycle-ways will also be laid along the EM Bypass, where bicycles are currently barred

24 hours.

Ironically, the ban comes at a time when the Union ministry of urban development - through its National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) - is pushing to increase the share of both public and non-motorised transport and promoting bicycles as the fittest means of commute. But according to city police commissioner Surajit Kar Purkayastha, "cyclists can be allowed only when there are separate pathways, but that's not possible in Kolkata with its limited road space".

But, supporters of the bicycle are not convinced. "The notification is bizarre, especially when other Indian cities are going out of their way to create a safer cycling environment," fumed Gautam Shroff, member of cycling-promotion club Ride2Breathe. "Cycles are not only zero-emission vehicles, they also benefit the rider's health," said Shroff.

"All metros should have a bicycle master plan because it has huge potential. We all know about the problems of climate change," said Prof. Geetam Tiwari of IIT Delhi, who spearheads the bicycle master plan for Delhi.

Colleague Dinesh Mohan, who is the Henry Ford Professor for Biomechanics and Transportation Safety at the IIT, echoed Tiwari: "Safety of the bicyclist can be ensured by segregating its lane. JNNURM proposals must have a compulsory component providing for safe and adequate pedestrian and bicycle facilities on all roads and BRTS on arterial roads."

Anamita Roy Chowdhury, expert in sustainable urbanisation, Centre for Science and Environment, was appalled: "Knowing that Kolkata is one of the most polluted cities in the world, the authorities are causing further damage by barring cycles," she said, adding that it was possible to integrate cycles in Kolkata because the travel trips are within 4 km on an average. "The city's share of cycles is more than that of cars," she pointed out.

The experts suggested traffic-calming measures like limiting speed and adopting policies to promote rather than discourage cycles. "Kolkata should firmly control the increasing numbers of private cars instead," said Roy Chowdhury.

