Chennai's only cycle track abuzz as schools open after vacation

CHENNAI: The city's only cycle track, in KK Nagar, was in 'business' on Wednesday when schools reopened, with a few children pedalling along the 3.8km stretch. Most children, however, continued to cycle to and from school along the main road.
Corporation officials and police believe the dedicated track is the only way forward and have freed it of encroachments.More than 100 vehicles illegally parked on it have been pulled up.
Several parents also seem to think that the track, which covers P T Rajan Salai, Lakshmanswamy Salai and Ramaswamy Salai and was completed earlier this year, is safer. "My daughter is starting Class XII now and has always cycled to school. Now, she is likely to reach school in just eight minutes provided the track is free of encroachments," said A Mala.
Some like Class 9 student Anjana S, who walked with her father, decided not to experiment on the first day. "From tomorrow I will be cycling," she said. The red cement concrete with cycle icons and bollards and barricades stood out. "If propoer rules are followed many classmates of mine will want to cycle as most live within a 2 km radius," she said.
Police say they are cracking down on illegal parking. "We have even booked three vehicles under [IPC] section 336 for endangering life and personal safety," said R-7 station inspector (law and order wing) M S Bhaskar. "First time, we fix a warning sticker on vehicles. Vehicles of repeat offenders are towed away and fined. Our deputy commissioner inspects the place every day." Fines ranging from 100 to 500 have been imposed since the beginning of March.
The track was to be opened in March but the corporation decided to wait until schools re-opened. "We aim to raise awareness among students," said an official.