BENGALURU: In order to encourage people to take up cycling, the residents of Sanjayanagar and members of Citizens for Sustainability (CiFoS) have implemented a cycle sharing system and cycle stands on the land provided by the BBMP.
Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George and BBMP commissioner Manjunath Prasad inaugurated the cycle stand on Saturday.
After the inauguration Mr George told reporters, “Such initiatives should be encouraged and implemented across the city. People should start using cycles for their daily errands in nearby areas. The government is also working on various plans to ensure that there is reduction in vehicular congestion and encourage people to use electric vehicles and cycles.”
Prasad lauded the efforts of CiFoS. “It was because of their keen interest the project has been implemented. BBMP provided them the space and they worked towards making the project a reality. It is a request to the public, across the city, to partner with BBMP and come up with similar initiatives, which would help make the areas a better place for living. BBMP’s support will always be there,” he added.
Regarding the project, a member of CiFos said the cycle stands was installed with the funds received by winning a grant as part of Neighbourhood Improvement Partnership (NIP), organised by United Ways of Bengaluru.
“For now, 250 cycle stands will be placed in different locations in and around Sanjaynagar. The residents can use these cycles to commute short distances in the neighbourhood. Such an initiative would not have been possible without the support of BBMP, who provided the space,” he added.
“Sanjaynagar is the second area in the city, after HSR Layout, to have launched such an initiative. The cycle rental services are provided by Pedl from Zoomcar. Initially, they have provided 70 rental cycles across 13 locations in and around Sanjaynagar. Residents who want to use the rental cycles will have to download the Zoomcar app, through which the cycles can be rented. The Pedl has fixed the rental charges at Rs 2 per/hour and this may increase slightly in the coming days and more cycles and stands will be added,” the member said.
Vignan Gowda, a CiFoS member, told Deccan Chronicle, “We have also submitted a request to Mr George and BBMP Commissioner to implement the rain water harvesting in all government offices and public spaces like parks and playgrounds in Bengaluru.”
