Make way for the bicycle brigade

On World Bicycle Day students in Ernakulam district will collaborate with the traffic police to promote this sustainable mode of travel

In Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, almost 80 % of the students cycle to school. “A culture of cycling exists in Kochi. What is required is to create a safe environment for them,” says Prakash P Gopinath, the bicycle mayor of Thiruvananthapuram who is coordinating the Cycle With Kochi project launched in October 2021.  

To do that, there are plans to work with the local administration to curtail traffic between 9 am and 9.30 am when most schools open. “It should be a message for the public that the road is also for cyclists and that we care for our children,” says Prakash

On World Bicycle Day, June 3, Bicycle Brigades will be inaugurated at Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir in Elamakkara as they launch in Ernakulam District’s schools. These will comprise student and teacher co-coordinators, who will identify safe routes for students who cycle to school by liaising with local traffic police and Student Police Cadets. “The main aim of forming these cycling clubs in schools is to integrate the culture of using non-motorized transport, and a healthy and non-polluting way of life in students,” says Prakash.

The Bicycle Brigades will be established in schools of the 74 wards of Kochi Municipal Corporation and will be coordinated by 21 bicycle champions. Prakash explains that the 74 wards come under 21 circles and each circle will select a bicycle champion who is an enthusiast and promotes this sustainable mode of travel.

“When a group of students cycling together to their school are joined on the route by other students on their cycles, it is a bicycling train. We must ensure that the cyclists have a safe journey. This can be done by involving the traffic police. Senior students can be entrusted with the task of leading the convoy and of safety,” he says adding that cyclists must know and promote the fact that their choice of travel makes them part of climate change action. “The responsibility of bringing in this shift, of reverting to a non-motorized transport rests with us.”

Age and Gender No bar

Kusum Parikh, 65, is learning to cycle, taught by Zeenath Shihab, a homemaker and one of the volunteers who teaches Kudumbashree women to ride. Zeenath has so far taught 81 women. “Fear”, she says is the biggest hindrance. “Most women are between the ages 45 to 60. Many are ASHA workers. The skill has empowered them, they now cycle to work, are independent and save money and time.” Kusum is thrilled to learn cycling, and has the support of her son and daughter, who have promised to buy her an e-scooter once she become proficient in cycling.