BMTC introduces front-mounted bicycle rack on buses

As cycling has once again become the choice of transportation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has attached a bicycle rack in front of few buses to promote mixed-mobility between cyclists and bus riders. It has been done on a trial basis and the public transport bus service will offer the same facility on other buses if it receives a positive response.

Bengaluru: While masks, sanitisers and distancing in public spaces have become part and parcel of the new normal today, there's an old-school element that has shot back into popularity after the pandemic struck – bicycles.

Commuters have begun to rely more and more on personal vehicles due to fear of contracting the virus.

In the wake of this, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has attached a bicycle rack in front of few BMTC buses, in order to promote mixed-mobility between cyclists and bus riders.

It has been done on a trial basis and the public transport bus service will offer the same facility on other buses if it receives a positive response.

As more number of people are embracing bicycles as a safe mode of travel during COVID-19 crisis, the corporation has decided to bring such commuters on board, said a BMTC official.

'Welcome @BMTC_BENGALURU move to include cyclists. Pilots are useful to understand what will work. Scalable solutions are parking lots, fare discounting for shared bicycles,' wrote Sathya Sankaran, the Bicycle Mayor (BM) of Bengaluru on Twitter.

It is to be noted that the bicycle rack is an in-house fabrication done by employees of BMTC central workshop.