Cycling dreams go off track

Aday after Chennai Corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan expressed his agency’s inability to execute the designated cycle track proposed at Anna Nagar owing to lack of funds, residents of the upmarket residential locality and cycle enthusiasts feel let down.
The proposed cycle track was to cover 15km of Anna Nagar roads, within the radius of Roundtana and Tirumangalam Junction.
“It could’ve been a safe option for children , The government has distributed free bicycles to school students, but now the cycle track proposal is shelved. This is disappointing,” says V Selvamuthu, secretary, Anna Nagar Residents Welfare Association . The cycle tracks were designed to benefit more than 6,000 students identified in 14 educational institutions in Anna Nagar.
“I was thrilled about the cycle track project. It’s good not only for children, even adults can use it to maintain fitness,” says Sridharan Chakravarthy, a software engineer living on Second Avenue, Anna Nagar. He is disappointed that even a pilot project could not be realised in the city. “Ideally, the scheme should have been extended to other areas by this time,” he adds. Lack of support from elected representatives has irked activists, who have been waging a battle with the civic body for an exclusive cycling track. “It only shows the apathy of our councillors and city planners. They seem to have money for every other thing,” says T Venkat, an activist. The disappointed citizen suggests that the corporation cuts costs on other insignificant things. “I suggest that they cut cost on symbolic opening ceremonies,” he adds.
City Connect, a non-government organisation, prepared a detailed study report for the corporation in January last, estimated to cost the exchequer 15 crore. The study suggested a buffer of 0.5 metres between the cycle track and parking areas, a minimum width of 2 metres for one-way movement and 3 metres for two-way movement of cycling, besides elevation above the carriageway that allows storm water run off.
The NGO study suggested continuity of cycle tracks for reasonable speeds, a smooth surface material, preferably concrete, with manhole covers levelled with the surrounding surface. There should be difference in the level and surface material for distinction from other streetscape elements , it had said. The cycle tracks on both sides of the roads have been proposed for about 9.12km, while a two-way track on one side of the road was suggested for about 2.86km and a two-way track in the centre of the road for 1.86km.