Few takers for bicycle experiment

India’s own MIT (Manipal Institute of Technology) had a green campus in mind when it gave away free bicycles to students for use inside the premises.

But after two years, that dream still remains unfulfilled. The students prefer walking to pedalling as the campus road is steep. They say a ride will make them too tired to concentrate on studies.

“Every day, there were accidents in the campus due to rash driving and bad roads,” director of MIT, Dr SS Pabla, said.

“A few lives were lost. So we bought 2000 top quality bicycles and handed them over to first year students. We built cycle stands too. The cycles were kept unlocked so that any student can take them anywhere in the campus. Sadly, many of the students are not using them even now.”

Of the 2000 bicycles, only 30% are in use and the rest of them gather dust in various stands.

Students said, “The roads in Manipal are uneven and pot-holed. It’s difficult to ride uphill. By the time we go to classes, we are so tired we cannot concentrate on the studies. Most of us prefer to walk instead.” 

The MIT director is not convinced. “Earlier, we allotted each student a bicycle. Now we are planning to take them back. We are going to build several bicycle stands near different departments and hostels from where any student can take them,” Dr Pabla said.

“Students and staff members can use them but they will have to park them at stands allotted. They will not be allowed to take them outside the campus,” he said.