A Mayor Victory for cyclers

The city has got its first Bicycle Mayor. City-based co-founder of NGO Praaja Raaga and Citizen for Sustainability Sathya Shankaran who will hold the post for about two year plans to increase the number of cyclists’ atleast by 50 percent by 2030. In a candid chat, he shares what he has in store for us. 

For the past 10 years, Sathya has been closely associated with cycling and mobility. On how he became the city’s first bicycle mayor, “I have focused on sustainable solutions like walking, cycling and using the public transport. I applied for the position as I felt that it would give a voice and visibility to every cyclist.” Satya  was choosen out of 19 people.  He was interviewed by a panel which had urban experts from the city. Satya commutes by cycle every week and feels that there is only one way by which congestion and pollution can reduce. He explains, “Cycling and use the public transport will help. I wanted to do something that will enable the correct people to see what’s happening in the city in terms of cycling.” As the cycle mayor of the city, Satya surely has his work cut out for him. He adds, “As the cycle mayor, I will have to work with the government to imporve infrastructure and represent the people’s voice. I will also have to campaign a lot in order to motivate people to get onto the cycle and choose it as the primary mode of transport.”

Along with all this, Sathya who was born and brought up in the city plans to ensure that cycle’s numbers increase on the roads. Explaining what he will be introducing, “ Firstly I will be constituting the ‘Council For Change’ that will bring together people involved with a lot of initiatives to one  platform. I am also going to introduce an initiative called ‘Bike Science for School’ where I will teach physics, mathematics, nutrition, civics, biology to children from class 1 - 10. They will also be taught how to ride a cycle in traffic. Lastly, motorists will be sensitised towards their responsibility towards cyclist.” The state of Bengaluru roads are horrible. Sathya adds, “Cycle tracks will also be coming up. I plan to work with corporates, hotels and other hospitality institutions to provide safe cycle stands, shower facilities and to treat cyclists with respect.” Most of the commutes that happen everyday is for work. Satya who often cycles to Nandi hills says, “One of the key things that I will work towards is to provide some kind of incentives to people who use cycles as their mode of transport. Working with corporate is to provide safe cycle stands and shower facilities are one thing I will concentrate on.”