BICYCLISTS EMERGEAS VICTIMS & A THREAT in Ahmedabad

 Ahmedabad: Absence of cycle tracks has led to an increase in number of fatal accidents involving or caused by bicycle riders.Astudy of government data on road fatalities shows that more and more cyclists are ending up in harm’s way as victims due to absence of dedicated lanes. What is equally worrying is that cyclists are imperilling lives of vehicle-owners by driving in erratic patterns. 

According to official records, in 2003, mishaps involving or caused by bicycle riders accounted for 1 per cent of the total road deaths in Gujarat. This figure rose to 3.1 per cent in 2010. The rise may not seem that steep, but it is quite alarming considering the fact that the state figure of road fatalities is usually in thousands. (In 2009, more than 6,000 people died in road mishaps in the state.) 

Ahmedabad, which sees 50 accident-related emergencies almost every day, probably fares worst among all major cities in Gujarat in protecting — and disciplining — its bicycle riders. In 2009, 700 people died in road mishaps in the city. In 2010, 800 perished. About 3 per cent of the fatal accidents during both these years involved or were caused by cyclists. 

These figures dispel the common belief that only vehicle drivers are at fault. Officials of the transport department, in fact, apportion blame to all traffic groups. “Speeding bikers and motorists knock down pedestrians and cyclists. They are a menace; there is no doubt about it. However, bicycle riders also cause accidents by driving in groups in an erratic fashion. For instance, they often jump the traffic signal and dividers,” an RTO official said. 

Urban experts say the only way to protect cyclists from surging traffic and to prevent them from posing a risk to vehicle-owners is to create cycle tracks. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and the Supreme Court-appointed Bhure Lal Committee have also made a similar recommendation in the past.
The GPCB, in fact, has suggested that all new roads should have cycle tracks.
Currently, such lanes exist only on roads parallel to the BRTS corridor. 

“For the past several years, I have been requesting the city administration to create dedicated lanes for people who ride bicycles and footpaths for pedestrians. My pleas, however, have gone unheard,” Ganshyam Panara, who heads Footpath Chalak Sangh, said. Contrary to popular notion that cycles are out of favour, the number of people embracing pedal power is increasing. In 2001, there were 5.15 lakh cycles in Ahmedabad.
Last year, this number was 8 lakh, according to a cyclists’ association. It is not just labourers and domestic workers who use bicycles. Of the 8 lakh cycles in the city, an estimated 3 lakh are driven by students.

Mishaps involving bicycle riders account for 3 PER CENT of the total road deaths in Ahmedabad.

Source: Ahmedabad Mirror, Ahmedabad