Bengaluru: Eco-friendly and fun, cycling is a sport that is healthy as well as clean. In the recent years however, it has evolved from being just a sport for a handful to a full-fledged potential tourist attraction.
“There is a huge number of people who cycle for fun. The awareness and conscious effort to use sustainable means has increased,” said Nobal Mohan, a city-based cycle enthusiast. “If a little effort is put into the potential, we could all reap the benefits,” he added. The most sought after destinations to cycle nearby are within a 200 kilometre radius, but poor infrastructure was hindering the growth of this form of tourism, he opined. “I cycle regularly in and around the city. For long distance ones, I cycle to Shivamogga, Chikkamagalur and Hampi amongst others. What I see is that the roads do not have separate lanes for cyclists to ride on and it makes things difficult for these long distance rides. If we have separate bicycle lanes on the national highways, this form of tourism will really pick up. The inflow of tourists who are into this is quite regular and it will surely bring in more people,” he said.
Appachoo N.K. (31)., another cycle enthusiast who specializes in long distance bicycle riding echoes similar emotions. “I recently took a ride to Mysuru on my bike, which is roughly about a 180 kilometers. The distance wasn’t the problem; the problem was these big vehicles that come so close to you that you fear for your life! They are loud and fast and have no regard for people on the side of the road, be it pedestrians or cyclists. I recall a few times I was pushed off the road and fell on the side. I have to think twice before taking long rides after that,” he said. “I have been riding for almost seven years now and there has been no encouragement to this type of tourism in spite of its potential.”
While cycling long distances, infrastructure isn’t the only constraint, said Tarun Kumar, who has been cycling for the past ten years for long distances. “Of course a separate cycle lane would definitely help in these long distance routes, but along with it, water stops and sheds to take a break and rest would make a big difference.”
Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge said, “The tourism department along with Pramod Madhvraj, sports minister, is evaluating its potential, in terms of decathlons and long distance cycling. We know that there are a lot of cyclists in the city and would like to do something about it. They can expect positive news in the future. If we can have a motorcycle lane why not a bicycle one?” The tourism ministry recently declared 2017 as the Year of the Wild that will focus on eco tourism.
