Cycling enthusiasts from across Goa led by Cycling Goa reportedly joined the participants of the Goa International Mountain Bike Challenge (GIMBC) being held in the state for a cycling rally through the capital city the main aim being to make Panjim cycle friendly.
It must be said reverting back to riding the good old cycle is the best and probably the only way to decongest the city roads in the state. Such a move will also solve the parking problem and reduce air and noise pollution that the cities are now facing and more importantly cycling is a very good exercise for the citizens.
It is pertinent to note that in many foreign countries citizens leave their cars in the garage as they prefer to go to the office and do the shopping by cycling. In the UK one can also see citizens dressed formally in a suit riding a bicycle. However in Goa one probable reason why people do not prefer to ride a bicycle is because they feel it is below their dignity. They are more concerned of what others will say if they are seen riding a bicycle. It is the ego that prevents many from jumping on a bicycle and pedaling on the road. Another reason could be that people find it too dangerous to ride a bicycle on the Goan roads given the drastic increase in the number of vehicles on the roads. Incidentally if more and more people prefer to pedal on the city roads it will lead to decrease in the number of motorized vehicles on the roads.
In order to increase the safety of the bicycle riders the government could think of having dedicated lanes for the bicycle enthusiasts. A marking of white paint on the existing roads bifurcating the road for the use of motorized vehicles and bicycle riders could be an option tried out on the city roads. In the bygone years it was possible to rent a bicycle for riding for as many hours as required. Such a concept needs to be reintroduced in the state with the various civic bodies making rent-a-bicycle facility available at the city bus-stand. This will allow bus commuter to alight from the bus hop on to a bicycle and enter the city.
Safe parking of the bicycles is also an important aspect that needs to be looked into. It is true that people are averse to change and it may take some time for the citizens to give up the luxury of driving in their cars and revert to pedaling a bicycle. But a change is possible if carried out in right earnest. For this, our elected representatives need to show the way. It may be recalled that in the past some of our young legislators rode to the assembly while it was in session on their motor-bikes. Why don’t our legislators pedal their way on bicycles to the assembly when it is in session and lead by example.
