The pedestrians find it tough to use sidewalks due to these inappropriately parked bicycles. Police and the cycle company must take action against the rider if he/ she park a cycle in a random place, said the expert.
Yulu and Bounce cycles are parked in a haphazard manner on Bengaluru’s footpaths, making it inconvenient for people to walk. Riders of these cycles park them incorrectly and leave.
“Bangalore is already very chaotic. People don’t care…. It is wrong to park cycles like this,” said Learie, who was visiting the city to meet his friends.
The app-based cycles, which have designated parking zones in a few areas of the city, occupy half the space on footpaths. The Observer saw these cycles parked randomly on the footpaths in MG Road, Baiyapanahalli, Shanthinagar and Marathahalli.
Users do not follow the terms and conditions regarding parking. Yulu and Bounce charge riders a fine of Rs 50 to Rs 100 if they don’t park motorbikes in the respective zones. The penalties are realized from a rider on his/ her next ride. But for bicycles, no fine is levied.
According to Bengaluru Traffic Police rules, “Every driver of a motor vehicle parking on any road shall park in such a way that it does not cause or is not likely to cause danger, obstruction or undue inconvenience to other road users and it the manner or parking is indicated by any sign board or markings on the road side, he shall park his vehicle in such manner.”
“Today is the first time I’m using it. I guess using such cycles can cost very less. We just need to install the app. The charge is very basic. It can help us save money,” said Vasisht, who was trying out a Yulu cycle.
In March this year, BBMP planned to provide parking space for 1,000 cycles. Though the tender has been approved by the council, it hasn’t been implemented yet.
These cycles cost Rs 10 for half an hour. Riders can park in any place and the next user from that locality is notified of the location of the parked cycle.
“I am new to the city and don’t know how these cycles work. But they are definitely causing a lot of trouble for the public. There is no space on the footpaths to walk,” said Praveen M, a pedestrian.
M.N. Sreehari, adviser to the Karnataka government on traffic, transportation and infrastructure, informed The Observer: “A footpath is meant for pedestrians to walk. Why are cycles parked there? Riders should be responsible enough to park them at right places.”
Police and the cycle company must take action against the rider if he/ she parks a cycle in a random place inconveniencing people, he added.
On installing the Yulu or Bounce app, a user can scan the barcode on the cycle he /she wants to use. When the app accepts the code, the cycle lock opens automatically. These cycles are popular among employees of IT companies and students.
