No cycling on Belgachia bridge

Its good news that Belgachia bridge in the north of Calcutta is getting a facelift. The guard rails and walls of elevated walkways are painted in orange, green, B&W zebra lines and perhaps yellow! No reds for sure. I feel bubbly to pedal my way through this riot of colours. And suddenly, a sign catches my eye, the dreaded no-cycling sign. Must have been a brainwave of some KMC boss. Luckily, no one cares a button, not even the police. If and when they do, a cyclist attempting somewhere across will have no options but to walk or to take a route thats at least twice as much.

Sometime in the last couple of years there was an insertion in the newspapers saying all roads under construction should have cycling lanes. For existing roads and flyovers similar provisions have to be made. As far I can remember, it was through a Central Govt. Order, and binding on all city Corporations. Proof that some sanity does exits in India. A copy must have reached our administrators, and by now it must be under piles of such GOs, gathering dust.

By the way, I just discovered a website of Chandigarh traffic police (right now, I am sticking to the Indian context only) where you will find among other things, tips to cyclists. Check it out.

http://www.chandigarhtrafficpolice.org/safety_tips_kids_pedestrian/Kids_school_area_safety_section.php

When I will be visiting Chandigarh in October for some academic stuff I'll have to check out if they really have cycling lanes - as the site claims.

Ofcourse, in the long run all roads will be ours! Only that a few more generations will not live to see that (un)fortunate day.