Cycling seems to be unsafe in Chandigarh, India
The city government is determined to encourage the residents as well as the tourists to use cycles while moving around in Chandigarh. However, the general opinion of the cycle users is that the roads in the city are too dangerous for them to ride on.
Chandigarh has a population of about 1.1 million people, with more than 0.7 million vehicles on the roads. The road is densely populated with an over bulging number of vehicles that make it dangerous for the pedestrians as well as for all the cyclists. The population of Chandigarh has doubled if compared to the population for which the city was actually planned. Due to this over population, the traffic rules are hardly followed on the roads. To add to the trouble is the fact that cycle tracks are almost absent on a majority of the roads and where they are even present, they are being consumed by other vehicles whenever it is possible.
Le Corbusier, who has designed the city structure, initially came up with seven kinds of roads for the city. However, he later added that another kind that had cycle tracks and pedestrian pathways should have been made. But still, the roads were too scanty to engulf the ever increasing traffic load. As a result, riding on these roads has turned into a nightmare for the cyclists. On the few cycle tracks that the city offers, the ride is uneven and full of bumps. The large number of potholes, few streetlights and above all, the intrusion of various motor bikes and motorised autos make these tracks impossible to have a comfortable ride on.
With this entire situation the city government hopes to hold its first cyclothon named 'BSA Hercules India Cyclothon Chandigarh 2010' by the end of this month. The event is being held with a view to promote cycling in general and cycle tourism in particular in the city.
Chandigarh’s home and tourism secretary, Ram Niwas told during the announcement of the event that the residents of Chandigarh have always been health conscious and full of spirit, therefore a huge response is expected from them.
He also added that all the international standards will be followed while organising the event, plus all the safety measures will be kept in mind.
With the prevailing situation, it cannot be exactly verified if the event is going to be a big success as anticipated by the organisers and the enthusiastic residents of the city. However, the way the preparations are being done a lot of positive changes are expected on the roads.
Chandigarh is the capital of the Indian state of Punjab which is one of the most popular and populated states of the country. It is one of the few cities of the sub-continent region that was planned before their construction started. It still stands amongst the best-planned cities of the region. Its architectural beauty is famous and so is its rich cultural heritage. Now, the government of the city is fully determined to promote its tourism values and highlight it as a modern commercial city. Among other steps that have been taken for this purpose, the Cyclothon is a major one.
With all rebuilding of the roads, improving the traffic system and redesigning the road structure, the city government hopes to promote its cycle manufacture industry, the cycling habit among the citizens as well as to promote cycling tourism in the city. It is also hoped that these measures would help reduce traffic load on the roads but only if the roads permit the event to be carried safely and successfully.
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