Cyclist-friendly tracks may help curb pollution in city

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 11

Cycling can be employed to reduce air pollution or to decrease the adverse effects of air pollution, but lack of cyclist-friendly tracks seem to be the biggest deterrent in the city even if a person wishes to shift to cycle riding. 

As per information available on the website of Punjab Pollution Control Board, the vehicular traffic contributes around 25 per cent of the total pollution in the state. 

In a move to promote use of cycles, Guru Nanak Dev University here had banned the entry of four wheelers in the campus and instead made available cycles for visitors. 

However, outside the campus the residents feel that there are no measures for safety of cyclists. “Even cycle can easily be lifted by thieves. There should be special arrangements in parking areas where cycles could be parked safety,” suggested city resident Meena Kaul.  

Residents say people can easily use cycles during winters as weather is favourable but lack of civic sense among drivers threatens them. “In a scenario where a person driving a bigger car pays no respect to the rights of a person with small car or a scooter rider, the plight of cyclist can easily be understood,” said Devinder Singh, a retired school teacher. 

Cycles are being used by labourers and poor people as others prefer the use of  cars and bikes, he added.