'No safe city for bikers': Two cyclists recount horror of hit and run in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: "It was a compulsory right and not straight. I was taking a right but a speeding car coming from behind wanted to go straight. The driver of the car did so at great speed, probably trying to cross me before I took a right. All I remember is a white flash and a hit on my handlebar before my head banged on the road. My right shoulder too took the impact and my hand went numb with pain.

Luckily, there was no vehicle behind. I picked my bike and sat on the roadside holding on to my spinning head," says 35-year-old Anudeep recalls, still not completely out of shock.

On December 21, two cyclists met with an accident in two different parts of Hyderabad. Anudeep got hit by a speeding car at the Mozzamjahi junction whereas 30-year-old Anshuman got hit by a speeding office cab on the flyover to Road No.45 in Banjara Hills.

Anshuman reiterates that he was going on the left-most lane on the flyover but the speeding car hit him and dragged him on the cycle for around 20 meters.

"What was my mistake here? I was wearing my reflective belt. My rear light is flashing. I was following traffic rules. The light was green to go right. Still, I was watching for traffic coming from the left. How much more careful could I have been? asks Anudeep.

Luckily they escaped with minor injuries and scratches.

'We all share the road'

Santhan Selvan, Bicycle Mayor of Hyderabad, says that awareness is the key to preventing such accidents.

"The RTA, at the time of issuing licences, should educate motorists that they should respect the space for cyclists and pedestrians. Traffic police should hold campaigns to create awareness. Importantly, motorists should have civic sense and empathy and should realize that we all share the road'," says Santhan.

He also says that there should be comprehensive bicycle lane networks in the city which will ensure uninterrupted connectivity for cyclists between different parts of the city.

Besides, stringent laws and implementation of the Active Mobility Bill will help in reducing such accidents, added Santhan. The Active Mobility Bill proposed to be implemented in other states like Karnataka aims to provide safer space on roads to cyclists as well as pedestrians and is expected to eventually help reduce the pollution levels in a city.