JULIO D’SILVA
With the increasing number of cyclists in Goa, including sports cyclists, there is not only a growing demand for setting up dedicated cycling lanes but even the government is now seriously thinking of having such lanes.
There are also those taking it up a hobby besides those belonging to the older generation for whom cycling was the only means of transportation.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has announced recently that Panjim will have a cycling lane and advocated the use of cycles for not only saving the environment but also for physical fitness.
Xaxti Riders has urged the government to set up dedicated cycle lanes in all the urban areas of Goa besides the highways. Xaxti Riders is an organisation of cycling enthusiasts based in Margao that recently organised an endurance cycle ride in Margao. The race saw 133 participants, including the Adityaraj Sawant who at 12 years was the youngest and Retd Wing Commander Ajit Guglani at the age of 75 was the oldest.
“Ideally, there should be cycle tracks in all our Goan towns and on all highways like in many other cities and states of India. For cycling to become popular, rider safety is extremely critical,” said President Sameer Nadkarni.
According to Sameer, in Salcete itself there are around 2000 cyclists who pedal around as a hobby or as a sport and added the need to ensure their safety by providing them with a dedicated cycling lane.
He also referred to Pune city where the city corporation has now embarked upon the task of repairing and setting up new cycle lanes besides also proposing a “hop on hop off” cycle venture in the city.
In Goa he suggested that the 15 kms road from Agalle to Verna Industrial Estate via Arlem circle could be taken up as a pilot project for having dedicated cycle lane which is properly demarcated.
“There are many young people employed by the various industries, especially pharmaceutical companies at Verna who are transported by at least 30 buses every day. Many of them would like to cycle to work as some such workers are our members,” he said.
He stressed the need to provide for the riders safety by having dedicated cycling lane as many cyclists due to fear of injury do not cycle on the roads and prefer to do it only on playgrounds.
“Having cycling lanes will motivate people to go out on cycles thus helping in reducing the pollution caused by using motorized vehicles besides also contributing to a healthy society,” said Sameer.
Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai, while admitting that it was a good idea which could be tried, pointed out that the cycling lane he had got demarcated on the Agalle to Collector’s office road has been misused as a parking lot by people for the last three years.
“Maybe we shall have to paint cycles on the lane with thermo plastic paint to prevent people from using it as a parking lot,” he said. Incidentally around three years back this road was widened at the cost of nearly Rs 40 crore.
The cycling lane was prepared on this road basically for the residents of Fatorda many of whom still cycle to the market and other places.
“Having a dedicated cycling lane going to Verna is a good proposal and I shall see how it can be implemented,” he said responding to the request made by Sameer of Xaxti Riders.
