‘Cycling track n Mumbai a waste of money’

Even before it is officially inaugurated, the MMRDA’s much-touted cycling track in the prestigious Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) has begun to receive criticism from the cycling community in the city.

Many cyclists DNA spoke to complained about broken or improperly closed manholes in the middle of the cycling track; its insufficient width; and encroachment from motorcycles and cars.

In fact, these problems have prompted ‘Fremo’-which claims to be India’s first bicycle sharing programme to invite online comments from the cycling community on its Facebook page, which will then be compiled as a memorandum and sent to the MMRDA so that these issues could be resolved.

Chief executive officer of Fremo, V. Ramesh, while speaking with DNA said that, the cycling track is a waste of money if the motorists encroach on it and manholes remain exposed. For, the cyclists will avoid using the track.  “Also, if there is no bicycle sharing hub or depot situated close to the track then those who travel from the distant suburbs to the BKC will find no incentive to use cycles with the BKC limits,” he added.

Firozza Suresh, a resident of Juhu, said, the width of the cycling track is too narrow and thus, cyclists find using the track inconvenient.