Pune: Lack of continuous, dedicated, and protected cycling infrastructure is turning city roads into death traps for those on two wheels.The death of a casual worker after a PMPML bus hit his bicycle at University Chowk on Ganeshkhind Road last Saturday has once again exposed the glaring gap between Pune’s ambition to revive its identity as a “cycling city” and the ground reality. According to Pune traffic police, at least 15 cyclists are killed in road accidents every year.According to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) records, the city has a network of 85.37 km of cycle tracks. However, it lacks a single major route with a long, uninterrupted cycling corridor. This forces cyclists to repeatedly merge with motorised traffic. Police officers state that this lack of continuity is one of the primary reasons cyclists are exposed to crashes.“There is a total disregard for the safety of cyclists on the city’s roads. As a result, we record cyclist fatalities throughout the year,” Pune police additional commissioner (traffic) Manoj Patil told TOI. “Improving dedicated cycling infrastructure is the need of the hour. There is no continuous stretch of cycle track on any road; therefore, many cyclists are forced to use the main roads, leading to accidents,” he said.The PMC has claimed it is working to improve the infrastructure and has created a dedicated fund for this purpose. PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram stated that the civic body wants to create a more conducive environment for cyclists. “We have created a dedicated fund for improving the cycle infrastructure in the city. Our endeavour is to create a safe atmosphere for cyclists. We will improve the tracks to the required standards in the coming months,” he said.Civic officials said several stretches of cycle tracks were lost or disconnected during road-widening projects. PMC road department head Rajesh Bankar said a functional cycle track along the Pune-Solapur Highway was lost during widening work. “Similar issues have occurred on other roads as well. Only a few roads, like JM Road, FC Road, and Baner Road, have tracks, but even these are not practical or long enough,” he said.The University Junction-Sancheti Hospital stretch illustrates the problem. Bankar said the cycle track along this road was disconnected after widening. “Now, we will have to acquire land to accommodate the cycle track. Likewise, additional land is required to maintain a continuous track for cycling,” he said.Cyclists said the problem goes beyond the length of the network. Several existing tracks are poorly maintained, interrupted by obstacles, or occupied by motorists. On FC Road and JM Road, cyclists often find lanes blocked. Motorcyclists frequently use these tracks and footpaths, forcing cyclists back into dangerous traffic.The result is a situation where even experienced cyclists hesitate to ride within the city. While Pune has a sizeable cycling community, many groups conduct their rides on the outskirts or in rural areas where traffic volumes are lower.“It is unfortunate to experience such a sorry state of affairs regarding infrastructure. Even if we want to do a short practice ride during the week, we are unable to do so because of unsafe conditions,” said cyclist Saurabh Dubey.Another cyclist, Dinesh Shitole, said cyclists are treated as an afterthought. “There is a total lack of respect for cyclists in this city. Motorists never pay heed to our safety. In other countries, cyclists are respected,” he said.Reviving ‘cycling city’ identity a major challengeThe infrastructure deficit comes at a time when authorities have been attempting to revive Pune’s historical image as a cycling city. Over the past two years, the PMC and the district administration organised the first edition of the Grand Cycling Tour and are currently preparing for the second, with international cyclists expected to participate. However, local riders said promotional events are no substitute for safe infrastructure.“To reclaim its identity, the city needs to move away from isolated projects and develop a citywide, continuous network connecting residential areas with workplaces, educational institutions, markets, and public transport hubs,” said cyclist Yogesh Nakil.Experts suggest the network requires protected crossings, safer junctions, proper maintenance, strict enforcement against vehicles encroaching on tracks, and speed management on roads used by cyclists.“The question is no longer whether Pune should build cycle tracks, but whether it can build tracks that actually allow cyclists to travel safely from one destination to another,” said a senior Army officer who cycles daily.
