City may get a cycle track soon

Kochi: Cycle enthusiasts in the city are in high spirits with the chief minister’s office responding positive to an e-petition submitted by a social welfare association demanding a cycle track in the city. The petition, which was submitted to the district collector by Pedal Force, a social welfare association concentrating on reinstating bicycles as a popular mode of commutation, was sent to the official email id of the chief minister as well as to PWD and finance ministers, apart from local MLAs and MPs, on April 30.“Your request has been noted and forwarded to the principal secretary of PWD for taking appropriate action,” the reply from the CM office read.“The petition included a project plan drafted by the organization as well as a collection of 150 signatures collected during a signature campaign demanding the cycle track. We received the response from the CM’s office on Saturday,” said Pedal Force secretary Joby Kandanad.The signature campaign, which was organized in Tripunithura on April 18, had received massive public support.“The project plan we proposed suggested that the median space used in double-lane roads should be converted into lanes, which can be used exclusively by cyclists. Due to this, we don’t need any land acquisition, a major hindrance in the construction of such tracks,” Joby said.The Seaport-Airport Road, which has the required space and width for an easy introduction of cycle tracks in the median space, was suggested as a viable option for implementing a pilot project for the tracks.The campaign had started in a vision to bring back the cycling culture to the state, which has a huge potential. The number of people interested in incorporating cycling to their lifestyles for reasons varying from health to eco-friendly commutation and even money saving on fuel expenditures are increasing daily, he said.