Safe paddling: Bikers call for separate cycle lanes, awareness in Hyd
On September 18, 22-year-old software professional Tharun Sathapathi of Vijaynagar Colony suffered serious wounds when an overspeeding Honda car rammed into him when he was cycling near Madhapur.
By Sumit Jha Published on 6 Oct 2021 2:36 PM GMT
Hyderabad: On September 18, 22-year-old software professional Tharun Sathapathi of Vijaynagar Colony suffered serious wounds when an overspeeding Honda car rammed into him when he was cycling near Madhapur.
On September 30, Madhapur police said that car has been traced and the legal process has been initiated against the accused. Police registered the case under section 337(causes hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life) of IPC and 184 (rives a motor vehicle at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public) and 187(takes part in a race or trial of speed) of MV ACT.
According to National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), 2019 data, five people died in Hyderabad city while riding the cycle. The 2020 data is yet to be published.
Cycling is becoming popular in the city with people paddling every morning to remain fit. Even some employees use cycle for commuting to their offices.
"In the Madhapur incident, the biker was coming from well off background. He reported the incident to the police which took the action. There are people who cycle daily to reach their offices. They are the victims of hit and run. Speeding vehicles hit them and sped away. These accidents are unreported because these riders don't want to lose time and money to go to the hospital and police station, etc," said Santhana Selvan, a city-based IT professional and cycling enthusiast.
Selvan has been chosen by Amsterdam-based social enterprise Bycs as the Bicycle Mayor of Hyderabad. "Motorists drive on the pedestrian lane or cycle lane and hit the people," he said.
Apart from this, there are many dooring incidents. Dooring is an act of opening a motor vehicle door into the path of another road user.
"Many people park their cars on the roadside or pedestrian lane, and without looking into their side mirror, they suddenly open the door and these cyclists become the victim," said Selvan.
For cyclists, potholes on the roads are another cause of concern. "Sub roads which cyclist prefer to travel are full of potholes. Cyclist gets injured falling into these potholes," said Selvan.
Selvan stressed the need for traffic awareness among motorists so that accidents are avoided. "Motorists should be educated about driving on the roads. Law enforcement is key to avoid accidents. Heavy fines and sentences for lawbreakers can be a deterrent. Separate cycle lanes should be built. The environment has to be created so that bikers can enjoy the ride without fearing any rash driver," he said.
