Cycle Ramps
Providing smooth passage for motorized traffic is the effort of every city planner. In Kolkata, things are no different. As a result, underpasses and overbridges are being constructed.
Unfortunately none of the staircases of these overbridges or underpasses have a cycle ramp. It is therefore usual to find men and women, young and old, lifting up their bicycles, helplessly bent, as they climb these staircases. For those with heavy stuff like milk cans and gas cylinders, it often means several up and down trips. This goes on everyday, rain or sunshine. Sandals slip, ankles sprain, hips jolt. No one cares. The city planners inside the comfort of cars have a smooth ride.
For the old and disabled also, a side-ramp on a staircase means a world of difference.
In this perspective, myself and Raghuda (Raghu Jana) visited the minister of labour of our state government with the plea to construct cycle ramps in the many underpasses across VIP Road and the overbridges connecting Salt Lake to VIP Road. After initial hesitation he at least kept the folio that contained pictures of cycle ramps.
A simple low-cost demand from the civic authorities. However, in this part of the world, no ministers ride bicycles. Neither do we have a bike-friendly traffic administration like London. Hence, the end result is anybody's guess!
Providing smooth passage for motorized traffic is the effort of every city planner. In Kolkata, things are no different. As a result, underpasses and overbridges are being constructed.
Unfortunately none of the staircases of these overbridges or underpasses have a cycle ramp. It is therefore usual to find men and women, young and old, lifting up their bicycles, helplessly bent, as they climb these staircases. For those with heavy stuff like milk cans and gas cylinders, it often means several up and down trips. This goes on everyday, rain or sunshine. Sandals slip, ankles sprain, hips jolt. No one cares. The city planners inside the comfort of cars have a smooth ride.
For the old and disabled also, a side-ramp on a staircase means a world of difference.
In this perspective, myself and Raghuda (Raghu Jana) visited the minister of labour of our state government with the plea to construct cycle ramps in the many underpasses across VIP Road and the overbridges connecting Salt Lake to VIP Road. After initial hesitation he at least kept the folio that contained pictures of cycle ramps.
A simple low-cost demand from the civic authorities. However, in this part of the world, no ministers ride bicycles. Neither do we have a bike-friendly traffic administration like London. Hence, the end result is anybody's guess!
Sad to see that this cycling ban is still not lifted in the city... stumbled across this blog while i was searching for an answer on why cycling is banned in many parts of Kolkata city... planning to bring my cycle which i left behind in another city.. also planning to cycle from Howrah to my place when i bring in my cycle next week but am worried ... of getting caught by the police :) ..
ReplyDeleteHope this tribe of cyclists doesn't die out in the City of Joy..
Hi Dayze,
ReplyDeleteWe are planning a cycle rally sometime soon. Be sure to join. You may write to me at khattacharya@gmail.com. Also visit the newly constructed Facebook page: Kolkata Cycle Samaj
which will have updates on the proposed rally.