Firoza Suresh, who heads The Smart Commute initiative that urges Mumbaikars to cycle to work and use this non polluting mode of transport more often, said she has herself been a victim on several occasions and hence taken up this issue.
Ever been stopped for pedalling your way on a bicycle to a neighbouring mall or office, or simply cursed your luck for not finding a safe parking place on the streets? The situation could change as a Mumbai-based cycling community is taking up the cause with the BMC, so that it's made mandatory for all such establishments to have dedicated parking space for cyclists.
Firoza Suresh, who heads The Smart Commute initiative that urges Mumbaikars to cycle to work and use this non polluting mode of transport more often, said she has herself been a victim on several occasions and hence taken up this issue. "Malls, shopping hubs and corporate offices are places that are not very cyclist-sensitive. I have been stopped from entering a few malls in the city with my cycle; some that allowed me in told me that there was no designated parking area and they would not be responsible if my cycle got stolen," she said, adding that with the number of people cycling in the city spiralling daily, it was important that city planners gave priority to cyclists' requirements.
She also said that they were meeting top BMC officials and urging them to pass a notification, making it mandatory for all such establishments to have dedicated cycle parking and even open up BMC parking lots. "We are simply asking space for maximum 20 cycles to begin with. We are also planning to approach the corporate offices to encourage safe parking areas for cyclists," said Firoza.
Vile Parle (East) resident Tanay Vaidya (19), who cycles to college, said, "I like to cycle and hence use it whenever the distance is under five kilometres. But the biggest worry is parking as I first have to find a pole where I can fasten the chain to lock my cycle. I am sure a lot of cyclists face the same situation; Mumbai needs more cycle-friendly infrastructure."
Associate professor, zoology department, and vice principal of Bhavan's College Dr Parvish Pandya, who himself regularly cycles to the college, said he knew of so many people whose cycle had been stolen. "If cycling has to be promoted in the city, infrastructure needs to be provided that will encourage more people to pedal their way for shorter distances. Inverted hooks can be placed all over close to the footpath, where cyclists can use safety chains to lock them," he added.
Architect and urban designer Samarth Das, who has been working on developing cycling tracks along Juhu as per the Juhu master plan, said that for the government authorities cycling and cyclists were not even in their least priority list. "Cycles require marginal spaces and, if planned, there can be several cycle parking spots created that will even look beautiful when cycles aren't parked, just like Copenhagen or Amsterdam. Safe cycle parking has to be created, ensuring that it does not become an eyesore or come in the way of pedestrians," he said.
Emphasising on the need of cycle parking to be made mandatory by different establishments that have parking for four- and two-wheelers, Das added that schools and colleges should take it upon themselves to provide space for those coming on cycles.
A senior BMC official said Mumbai had cycle stands at several places, but that these were hardly used by anyone except dabbawalas. "Now that there is a demand, the BMC can surely think about it," he added.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "cyclist")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}