Chennai to quickly get biking lanes as a part of CUMTAs Comprehensive Mobility Plan

Soon, biking throughout Chennai will get smoother and safer; the town is ready to get unique biking lanes, with the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) specializing in biking infrastructure as a part of its Comprehensive Mobility Plan.

The Comprehensive Mobility Plan, a report that examines methods to make commute seamless for metropolis residents switching between completely different modes of transport, additionally recommends sustainable transport options.

“We have given significance to the creation of biking infrastructure and clusters within the metropolis in order that it offers a safe atmosphere for individuals who pursue it as a passion in addition to those that journey on a regular basis for work. We have significantly centered on areas round academic establishments in order that college students can cycle forwards and backwards to and from their residence,” an official of CUMTA says.

Eleven areas, together with Triplicane, T. Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Mogappair, Red Hills, Perambur, Vyasarpadi, Vepery, Poonamallee, Guduvanchery, and Kanchipuram have been recognized for the event of biking infrastructure loops, masking 46 km of roads in complete, the official says. This aside, devoted biking lanes have been proposed alongside 156 km of recent roads deliberate within the Chennai Metropolitan Area and alongside East Coast Road, the place leisure biking is widespread, he provides.

‘A welcome transfer’

Ramkumar B. of Chennai Cyclists, part of the OMR-ECR chapter, who often cycles alongside together with his household, says, publish COVID-19, many took to biking, particularly alongside ECR, not simply as a leisure exercise but in addition as a means of prioritising their well being and wellness. “At current, it feels dangerous to cycle alongside ECR and OMR, with autos, heavy automobiles, vehicles, and two-wheelers indulging in rash driving. So, devoted biking lanes are a welcome transfer, and it might profit a whole lot of individuals,” he provides.

Mugilan Ok., a member of Chennai Cyclists, Tondiarpet chapter, says he has seen a major decline within the variety of cyclists — those that cycle for ardour in addition to those that use it for normal commute — within the final two years. This stems from unsafe situations owing to broken roads in a number of areas, decreased street width, congestion, and encroachments.

“The lack of unique lanes is likely one of the main causes many have dropped out of this exercise. When such lanes come up in areas like Red Hills, Vyasarpadi, or Perambur, extra will take to it, not simply as a leisure exercise but in addition as a mode of transport,” he provides.