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BBMP promises cycle tracks along Bangalore Metro stretch

Bicycle commuters travelling on the Metro stretch between Anil Kumble Junction and Old Madras Road will soon have a separate bicycle track constructed by BBMP under its Tender SURE project

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It’s the BBMP to the rescue, for once. At least, on the face of it.

Bicycle commuters and cycling enthusiasts who travel on the Metro stretch between Anil Kumble Junction and Old Madras Road will soon be able to pedal freely with no danger from bikes or four-wheelers, thanks to the Palike’s plan to construct a bicycle track on the stretch under its Tender SURE project, which will be taken up shortly.

The project, to be implemented jointly by the BBMP and state government to elevate roads in commercial areas to the international standards, is laying emphasis on cycle tracks as an environment-friendly initiative, besides looking at the issue of safety of cyclists.

The detailed project report (DPR), prepared by the Bangalore City Connect Foundation, has examined various measures for the better movement of traffic. Among other things, it looked at pedestrian spaces, cycling, landscaping, and lane management.

The proposed cycle track would be part of a roadway designed and constructed for the use of bicycles. These tracks would be demarcated properly from both lanes used by vehicles as well as parking lanes and sidewalks. The tracks will take off from the concept of right-of-way, but will be segregated from pedestrian walkways by semi-barrier kerbs. Suitable safety measures will be ensured at intersections by providing separate boxes for cyclists.

Signals and lane markings
With the installation of exclusive signal timings for cyclists, vehicular turn movements will no longer be in conflict with bicycle movements. An advance warning signal will allow cyclists to stay prepared. This warning will be carried out by a pre-green interval. The BCCF report has suggested that a method that can be employed to distinguish bicycle signals from general traffic signals would be to use a bicycle emblem in the signal display which is similar to that prevailing for pedestrians now. Dedicated signals will give priority to cyclists.

Whenever a portion of a carriageway is used by motorised vehicles, lanes will be specifically earmarked for cyclists. The white line demarcating the lane will be 150mm in thickness and parallel to the kerb of the carriageway. The cycle lane will be marked with a cycle symbol as per Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines. The termination points will be marked too.

The width of every road will be considered after according priority to adequate space for pedestrians and cyclists. Part of a existing road width, in other words, will be used for pedestrian walkways, cycle tracks and utility ducts.

There would be parking facilities for cycles too. However, the cycle tracks and pedestrian paths will circumvent parking zones as far as possible. At present, there are on-street parking facilities for two-wheelers, cars and autos at many points between Anil Kumble Circle and Trinity Circle. The proposed parking lots will be away from travel lanes, and the entry/exit points will be restricted in order to channel traffic. Kerb separators/barricades will be erected to demarcate the travel lanes from the parking lots.

Keeping in mind the issue of safety and the durability of pavements, interlocking paving blocks for cycle tracks and pavements are also being planned.

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