Insensitive motorists ruin riding experience

Bangalore: It seems cyclists in Bangalore have come of age. Without sulking about the lack of infrastructure for riding, they overcome the challenges in their own way.
Naresh Khandai, a 34-year-old techie, has come a long way, riding 20km daily in and around Kammanahalli for the past six years. He has inspired at least 10 persons with his cycle-to-office resolve.About the challenges on Bangalore roads, he said: “The challenges are plenty... autorickshaws taking sudden turns, very little space on roads…. We should be equipped with helmet and blinkers (head and tail lamps). Following traffic rules is a given,” he said.
Endorsing his view about wayward behaviour of some motorists, Shruthi U said cycling in the evenings is particularly fraught with danger. “I frequently do day-time rides to my office in UB City where I work for a consultancy major,” the resident of Banashankari II Stage said, adding that her total daily commute is about 25km. “Insensitive motorists who elbow us out of roads to overtake us bother me. So do restless motorists who honk for no reason,” said Shruthi, adding that she secures herself with helmet, kneecaps and other gear.
Both Naresh and Shruthi insist that dedicated cycling lanes will ensure more riders on the roads. For some others like Nagesh C, stray dogs are a huge problem as he’s an easy target on a slow-moving vehicle. “As one just cannot outdo dogs in speed, the best thing is to get down and stare down the dog and it will go away.”
Husain Bohra, the 31-year-old techie who rides between his home in Gottigere off Bannerghatta Road and office in Koramangala, finds the emission by heavy vehicles, especially BMTC buses, annoying as “it ruins my office wear”. The lack of streetlights between Meenakshi Mall and Gottigere is another grouse.
“There are heartening developments too,” Hussain said, adding: “Of late, those in cars have become sensitive towards cyclists. With a smile and a thumbs-up, they give right of way.”
TOI CYCLE DAY
It’s here again. Pedal away this Sunday. The second edition of the HSR Layout Cycle Day is completely driven by a locality partner HSR Cyclists Group. Supported by the Times of India, Cycle Day is powered by Bengaluru Coalition of Open Streets (BCOS), a non-profit collective comprising DULT, Praja RAAG, EMBARQ, ESAF and individuals. Cycle Day is an open-street event conducted by BCOS with support from organisations like Bangalore Police (traffic and law & order) and BBMP.
Venue: 19th Main, 22nd Cross, Sector 2, HSR Layout
Activities: Cycle ride & cycling games, street games for all ages, cross fit activities, skateboarding, street art and street theatre