Bengaluru traffic police happy to pedal bicycles

BENGALURU: Bengaluru traffic police responded enthusiastically to the idea of Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) system and said that their lower rung officials can make use of it to attend to emergencies, go to courts on work and for running errands within half-a-kilometre radius.  A traffic police sub-inspector, who attended an awareness meeting organised by the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) on Friday, said, "After I learnt about PBS, I felt that Bengaluru needs such initiatives to curb traffic congestion and pollution levels. Using bicycles will help us save time and keep policemen fit. But we should see how PBS works and also if our seniors give us permission to use PBS."

The meeting was held for police sub-inspectors (PSI) and assistant sub-inspectors (ASI) of the traffic department.  DULT members briefed the police officials about PBS and 400 parking hubs that will come up in clusters 1 and 2 of the city. They were told how PBS works and how it will be important to the city, as a large number of people will start using it. The traffic officials were asked for their inputs which could be incorporated if feasible. They were also asked to give suggestions on the rules and regulations for users and also about the safety while riding on the road.

Murali Krishna, a special officer, DULT, said, "We had earlier organised a meeting with senior traffic police officers and now we held the awareness meeting with other officers of the traffic department." He said that DULT discussed the enforcement part. For example, can the traffic police tow away bicycles if they are not parked in the designated zones and many others enforcement rules. He said, "We also need a no objection certificate (NOC) for the project from the traffic department and it is being worked out."

The sub-inspector, who did not want to be named, said, "During the meeting, we discussed the idea of using the PBS for our daily work. For example, constables at police stations around Mayo Hall and City Civil Court can use PBS to submit the FIRs at courts or even to attend to any problem or issue which is within half kilometre radius and for other things. There is no need to use vehicles, which take a long time in the traffic."