It’s not a smooth ride anymore on Chandigarh cycle tracks

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 22

A huge amount of money has been spent on cycle tracks and their maintenance, but riders face many hiccups on the tracks of the well-planned city.

‘A clear divide’

In northern sectors, there are less cyclists, but the tracks are in a good condition. However, in places such as the road separating Sector 45 and 46 and the Industrial Area, Phase 2, where users are more, the tracks are in bad shape. - Harman Singh Sidhu, President, Arrive SAFE

Potholes, overhead cables, uneven tracks, encroachments by some residents and issues at the exit-entry of junctions discourage riders from using the tracks. Tracks in southern sectors are particularly in bad shape.

Many people can be spotted riding on the main road rather than using the cycle tracks. This puts their lives at risk.

Sector 21 resident Harman Singh Sidhu, president of ArriveSAFE, said there was a clear divide in the matter of maintenance of tracks in northern and southern sectors.

“In northern sectors, there are less cyclists, but the tracks are in a good condition. You can even spot flower pots and railing to segregate the tracks. However, in places such as the road separating Sector 45 and 46 and the Industrial Area, Phase 2, where users are more, the tracks are in bad shape,” he said.

“Sincere efforts are lacking in providing proper service to people despite the fact that huge money has been spent on these. A proper survey and audit is needed in this regard,” said the road safety activist.

Manmeet Kumar, a cycling enthusiast, said, “The authorities must get barbed wires or cables removed from cycle tracks. It may injure riders. Action should be taken against violators behind these. At many junctions where tracks and paver blocks connect each other, there is some gap, forcing riders to get down from the bicycle and then ride again. Under such a scenario, they take to the main road, putting their life in danger amid speeding vehicles.”

Some tracks such as the ones in Sector 52 are badly littered and have no proper connectivity. UT Chief Engineer CB Ojha said, “A meeting of the review committee, comprising Smart City, MC and Administration officials, is held once a month. It resolves such issues. Besides, whenever we get any complaint regarding cycle tracks, we repair these. People can reach us by mail or Twitter regarding any such problems. We also request the public not to throw garbage or debris on tracks as it may injure riders if they fail to spot it during late evening hours.”

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