Bicycle Lane - Chennai Corporation

A bicycle lane refers to a bikeway separated from motorized traffic and dedicated to cycling or shared with pedestrians and other non-motorized users. It is a paved path outside of the right of way of a public road. The creation of 17 kilometres of dedicated bicycle lanes in T Nagar as area-based development has facilitated increased usage of bicycles and improved convenience for other non-motorized transport. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) hopes that the purpose of this project will continue to encourage the people of T Nagar (and Chennai, at large) to use bicycles for shorter distances or as a first/last-mile solution and — when scaled up to major roads in the rest of the city — will create a network of hassle-free lanes for cyclists to utilize.

Cycle tracks tend to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety by making the interactions between bicyclists and motorists more predictable. Streets also have a higher carrying capacity when people cycle than any forms of motorized road transportation, especially cars.

The Greater Chennai Corporation in association with Chennai Smart City Ltd. had struck the right chord by successfully executing the Bicycle Lane Project. The project planned for a length of 17 kms in two stretches, was commenced in November 2017 and completed by the end of June 2018.

2 stretches of Bicycle Lanes

Sardarpatel Road, Taluk Office road, Velachery Main road, Indra Nagar 1st Avenue, 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue, Kasturibai Nagar 3rd cr. Street, DGS Dinakaran Salai, Durgabai Deshmukh Road, Broadies castle road, Besant Avenue Road, Besant Nagar 3rd Avenue, MG Road.

Swamy Sivanantha Salai,Flag Staff Road, Napier Bridge, and Annasalai

The dedicated bicycle lanes were built with the primary aim of making the roads safer for cyclists as well as motorists. An effective mode of commuting for short and minimal distances, cycling is widely regarded as an efficient fitness mantra that keeps our body hale and hearty, and significantly helps you increase your stamina.

Environmental degradation has been a major issue in our country. With industries growing, vehicular use increasing, the results of development are not always in favour of Mother Nature.

Cycling can be used as an effective measure to combat the increasing levels of pollution. Cycling 10 km each day to work would save 1500 kg of greenhouse gas emission each year. In addition, cycling during peak hours would contribute to further emission-level drop by reducing traffic congestion.