Is City safe 4 Cycling..!!??

[anilk...@gmail.com]

Hi,

Guys do you also come across something like this?

When you are crossing under pass (especially in south bangalore, photo attached....this one is taken at west of chord road and magadi road intersection) at the end/start of it you will find these grills.

If you are riding road bike the tyres can easily get inside and will end up toppling. Usually it will be at the end of a slope and will be at a good speed and so is every other user of the road. It is extremely dangerous either to stop (always at the fear of some one not predicting me stopping) or to go over it (for sure tyre goes inside).

How do you manage these situations, how safe are city roads for cyclists??

Very truly,
aNIL s kadsur

[Chidambaran Subramanian]

Generally on the ones which have a grid on one plane, there is no issue, nor do the ones in which the bars on top are perpendicular to the tyres. The one you have pictured is fine for MTB's no issues, but I am not sure about road bikes.

--
biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)

are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details

[pradee...@gmail.com]

Anil this is pathetic. I am sure road bike tyres will go through. Good share and tx for the awarness.

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

---

From: Chidambaran Subramanian <chi...@gmail.com>

Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com

Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:17:17 +0530

To: <anilk...@gmail.com>

Cc: <bangalor...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [BBC] Is City safe 4 Cycling..!!??

[mudit...@gmail.com]

tackling the grills at an angle not parallel to the road should
be fine at high speeds, provided your reflex to do so kicks in at
the nick of time. failure of the same, would show anyone and his dear
road bike, a hell of the drain for sure.

(don't know if those sleeping reflexes will ever wake up and do
something if riding in pitch dark as in the photo :P)

- mudit
http://muditsethi.blogspot.com/

On Jan 29, 7:42 pm, pradeepnai...@gmail.com wrote:
> Anil this is pathetic. I am sure road bike tyres will go through.  Good share and tx for the awarness.
> Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chidambaran Subramanian <chi...@gmail.com>
>
> Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com
> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:17:17

> To: <anilkad...@gmail.com>

> Cc: <bangalor...@googlegroups.com>
> Subject: Re: [BBC] Is City safe 4 Cycling..!!??
>
> Generally on the ones which have a grid on one plane, there is no issue,
> nor do the ones in which the bars on top are perpendicular to the tyres.
> The one you have pictured is fine for MTB's no issues, but I am not sure
> about road bikes.
>

> On Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 3:48 PM, <anilkad...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi,
>
> > Guys do you also come across something like this?
>
> > When you are crossing under pass (especially in south bangalore, photo
> > attached....this one is taken at west of chord road and magadi road
> > intersection) at the end/start of it you will find these grills.
>
> > If you are riding road bike the tyres can easily get inside and will end
> > up toppling.  Usually it will be at the end of a slope and will be at a
> > good speed and so is every other user of the road. It is extremely
> > dangerous either to stop (always at the fear of some one not predicting me
> > stopping) or to go over it (for sure tyre goes inside).
>
> > How do you manage these situations, how safe are city roads for cyclists??
>
> > Very truly,
> > aNIL s kadsur
>
> > --
> > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comfor more details

[deepakvrao]

STUPID planners. Seen this on ORR before, and almost had a bad crash.

No where in the world will grills be placed like this.

>  IMG02457-20120129-1329.jpg
> 364KViewDownload

[anilk...@gmail.com]

Mudit,

(don't know if those sleeping

reflexes will ever wake up and to do something if riding in pitch dark

as in the photo :P)

Can you IMAGINE it is taken at 1.25 pm (bright day light....) and vehicles switch on the head light and ride (it is really really dark at that point....)

aNIL s kadsur

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

-----Original Message-----
From: "mudit...@gmail.com" <mudit...@gmail.com>
Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:37:26
To: Bangalore Bikers Club<bangalor...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [BBC] Re: Is City safe 4 Cycling..!!??

tackling the grills at an angle not parallel to the road should be
fine at high speeds, provided your reflex to do so kicks in at the
nick of time. failure of the same, would show anyone and his dear road
bike, a hell of the drain for sure. (don't know if those sleeping

reflexes will ever wake up and to do something if riding in pitch dark

as in the photo :P)

-mudit
http://muditsethi.blogspot.com/

[mudit...@gmail.com]

OMG

On Jan 29, 8:05 pm, anilkad...@gmail.com wrote:
> Mudit,
>
> (don't know if those sleeping
> reflexes will ever wake up and to do something if riding in pitch dark
> as in the photo :P)
>
> Can you IMAGINE it is taken at 1.25 pm (bright day light....) and vehicles switch on the head light and ride (it is really really dark at that point....)
>
> aNIL s kadsur
>
> Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "muditse...@gmail.com" <muditse...@gmail.com>
>
> Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com
> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:37:26
> To: Bangalore Bikers Club<bangalor...@googlegroups.com>
> Subject: [BBC] Re: Is City safe 4 Cycling..!!??
>
> tackling the grills at an angle not parallel to the road should be
> fine at high speeds, provided your reflex to do so kicks in at the
> nick of time. failure of the same, would show anyone and his dear road
> bike, a hell of the drain for sure. (don't know if those sleeping
> reflexes will ever wake up and to do something if riding in pitch dark
> as in the photo :P)
>

> -mudithttp://muditsethi.blogspot.com/

>
> On Jan 29, 3:47 pm, Chidambaran Subramanian <chi...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Generally on the ones which have a grid on one plane, there is no issue,
> > nor do the ones in which the bars on top are perpendicular to the tyres.
> > The one you have pictured is fine for MTB's no issues, but I am not sure
> > about road bikes.
>
> > On Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 3:48 PM, <anilkad...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Hi,
>
> > > Guys do you also come across something like this?
>
> > > When you are crossing under pass (especially in south bangalore, photo
> > > attached....this one is taken at west of chord road and magadi road
> > > intersection) at the end/start of it you will find these grills.
>
> > > If you are riding road bike the tyres can easily get inside and will end
> > > up toppling.  Usually it will be at the end of a slope and will be at a
> > > good speed and so is every other user of the road. It is extremely
> > > dangerous either to stop (always at the fear of some one not predicting me
> > > stopping) or to go over it (for sure tyre goes inside).
>
> > > How do you manage these situations, how safe are city roads for cyclists??
>
> > > Very truly,
> > > aNIL s kadsur
>
> > > --
> > > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comformore details

[Murali Katta]

We must take this to the authorities. We should request tv9 and other channels to cover this story.

Sent from my iPad

[deepakvrao]

What story?

Do you think they care about a couple of 'rich' cyclists crashing on a
badly designed grill. When there are 4 murders/rapes every day in this
city?

On Jan 29, 9:24 pm, Murali Katta <muralikatta_2...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> We must take this to the authorities. We should request tv9 and other channels to cover this story.
>
> Sent from my iPad
>

[muralika...@yahoo.com]

@deepak : they might do it looking at the opportunity of one more bill !
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from !DEA

[Vishnu Rao]

A road bike is certainly not safe for the city unless you're taking a regular or a planned route. Like how SUV's suit our county roads the best, I'd say MTBS suits our country roads the best.

[sarvesh]

This underpass is close to my home. I would advise all roadies to
avoid using the underpass, because those i've had two punctures riding
over that.

On Jan 29, 3:47 pm, Chidambaran Subramanian <chi...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Vamsee Kanakala]

On Sunday 29 January 2012 10:07 PM, deepakvrao wrote:
> What story?
>
> Do you think they care about a couple of 'rich' cyclists crashing on a
> badly designed grill. When there are 4 murders/rapes every day in this
> city?

While I agree that media might not be terribly interested (but you don't
know until you try) but I would say you shouldn't dismiss the govt
bodies so easily. If you're willing to engage them patiently, they are
usually willing to come half way (I work with an NGO, so I have some
knowledge about this).

A good start would be to find out who's responsible in the civic bodies
and let them know at least. The next step would be to find out what the
obstacles are to changing it (cost, procedure, etc). These things don't
change until we take the initiative. Is there at least an informal
civic-lobbying group for BBC? (I'm new to the city).

Vamsee.

[Sandeep]

Ask Vasu to give a workshop on bunny hopping these dangers on a road bike.

--
biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)

are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

[Sampath Herga]

But that’s a package deal.. Comes with training on cleated falls J

[Kiran Narendra]

I would say plan :)

I usually think about my destination before I leave my place .. I take
the road which has low slopes.. I don't bother too much on the
distance..

Similarly, if there is an underpass or flyover, usually there is a
road beside it. probably motor bikes cant go (straight, have to take
left or right) , but i have the advantage of walking slowing watching
the traffic..

If not clear let me give an example. if you are coming from kaveri
theater (sankey road) towards hebbal / yelahanka/ international
airport, you come accross makeri circle.. they do have grills.. If a
motor bike have to pass by, one have to go under pass.. but I don't...
just before the underpass there is road after which its a compulsory
left and right for motorbikes, one can't go straight.. I can walk by
to be on safer side..

Hope this addresses your concern.. :)

Regards
Kiran Narendra

On Jan 30, 8:26 am, "Sampath Herga" <sampat...@gmail.com> wrote:
> But that's a package deal.. Comes with training on cleated falls J
>
> From: bangalor...@googlegroups.com
> [mailto:bangalor...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Sandeep
> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 7:55 AM
> To: Bangalore Bikers Club
> Subject: Re: [BBC] Is City safe 4 Cycling..!!??
>
> Ask Vasu to give a workshop on bunny hopping these dangers on a road bike.
>

> On Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 3:48 PM, <anilkad...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Guys do you also come across something like this?
>
> When you are crossing under pass (especially in south bangalore, photo
> attached....this one is taken at west of chord road and magadi road
> intersection) at the end/start of it you will find these grills.
>
> If you are riding road bike the tyres can easily get inside and will end up
> toppling.  Usually it will be at the end of a slope and will be at a good
> speed and so is every other user of the road. It is extremely dangerous
> either to stop (always at the fear of some one not predicting me stopping)
> or to go over it (for sure tyre goes inside).
>
> How do you manage these situations, how safe are city roads for cyclists??
>
> Very truly,
> aNIL s kadsur
>
> --
> biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comfor more details

[pradee...@gmail.com]

Don't say it man. I m a rodie and very happy riding in this country.

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

-----Original Message-----
From: Vishnu Rao <reach...@gmail.com>
Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com

Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:49:59
To: anilk...@gmail.com<anilk...@gmail.com>
Cc: bangalor...@googlegroups.com<bangalor...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [BBC] Is City safe 4 Cycling..!!??

--
biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)

are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

[Harish G]

I daily use this underpass and never noticed this on my MTB:-)...I was never even aware of the risks with these grills eventhough I had seen these grills at many places.....If i had a roadbike, probably i would have noticed it after a bad fall.
Anil, thanks for your post.

[anilk...@gmail.com]

There is one more what I also found really tough to manage (JP nagar Ring road and Puttenahalli cross, am referring to the one, which is close to Actor Ambareesh house).

Also had an one awesome fall lucky to save myself and the bike without a scratch (landed on my back luckily not on my head...).

aNIL s kadsur

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

---

From: Harish G <harisht...@gmail.com>

Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:48:50 +0530

To: <pradee...@gmail.com>

Cc: Vishnu Rao<reach...@gmail.com>; <bangalor...@googlegroups.com>; anilk...@gmail.com<anilk...@gmail.com>

[Sreepathi Pai]

Parallel Style Grates on the roads are a safety hazard all around the
world, not just in India. Experienced urban cyclists know this.

E.g., http://seattlebikeblog.com/2011/04/14/one-in-five-storm-grates-on-seattle-bike-routes-are-hazards/

The question now is, how do we get the BBMP to ban the unsafe designs?

It won't be easy because parallel grates are apparently "hydraulically
efficient".

Also, a link to those interested, Vermont's "Pedestrian and Bicycle
Facility Design Manual", which notes this and many other hazards.

<http://www.aot.state.vt.us/progdev/Documents/LTF/FinalPedestrianAndBicycleFacility/PedestrianandBicycleFacilityDesignManual.pdf>

--
Sreepathi Pai

[Vinay]

Cycling is safe..

All u got to do is

>keep ur eyes open..
>Lift ur cycle on bad patch of roads..
>Follow traffic rules

Trust me Blr roads r much better whn compared to other places..

Cheers
Keep cyclin

Sent from my BlackBerry®

---

From: anilk...@gmail.com

Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com

Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:43:44 +0000

To: Harish G<harisht...@gmail.com>; pradeep.naidu Cycle<pradee...@gmail.com>

ReplyTo: anilk...@gmail.com

Cc: Vishnu Rao<reach...@gmail.com>; <bangalor...@googlegroups.com>

[San Jay]

I share the same thoughts as Pradeep Naidu

[deepakvrao]

Yes Sreepathi, but I think abroad when it is brought to the notice of
the people in charge, changes are made. I think it will not be that
easy here.

"The good news is that SPU is spending hundreds of thousands of
dollars replacing dangerous or broken grates, prioritizing bike routes
in their replacement efforts. The bad news is they have a ways yet to
go (though they are working on it)."

[Rajanikanth Puttabuddi]

Just to let you know how bad it is here i would like to tell what happened on sat night ( during the BRM 400 )

We went to an SBI ATM @ hiruyur to take a slip.ATM/Bank was closed and we thought we would take a group photo as evidence.
I asked the rest ( manjula, 2 IISC riders vijay and dheeraj as well as mohit ) to assemble in front of the gate.
We didn't even enter the compound. Suddenly this guy ( watchman or somebody ) starts abusing from the building.
He was shouting at the top of his voice and threatening us that he will call police. He even said he is taking out his gun.
He was of the opinion that we are some looters with reflective jackets and lights on helmets.
No pictures GET lost was his message. How much ever i told him about what we are doing and why, he was not ready to listen.
He was not even allowing us to take a pic outside. I just wanted some part of the building in the frame.

Anyway before all this happened i had taken a pic of the building with nobody in frame and that was enough for us.

From where do you come ? Where are you going ? Why do you do this ? Nearly 100 people would have asked everybody the same question.
They think we get some money for doing such rides.

2 cents :

1) Have brevet rides on only those highways that have decent hotels so that rider's can check-in for quick nap or get a decent bathroom.
2) Never pick ATM's that are part of bank with security guards around. If possible inform them.

rk

[Sreepathi Pai]

On Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 3:46 PM, deepakvrao <deepa...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Yes Sreepathi, but I think abroad when it is brought to the notice of
> the people in charge, changes are made. I think it will not be that
> easy here.

True enough. That's why I said the main problem was getting the BBMP
to ban them. That will take some initial work. But once a process is
set, I think it will change.

Ultimately, it has to go beyond bicycle lanes to actively thinking
about bicycles (and other users) on roads. Some problems on roads are
so bad, that even cars/motorbikes will have issues.

Right now, I am so uninformed that when I see things like these, I do
not even know whom to write a letter of complaint to.

--
Sreepathi Pai

[Gourav Sengupta]

Hi Sreepathi,

A small note on how to get the government officials to work.

India generates around $18 billion for government officials via bribes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_in_India) and that is what they are doing anually while growing by 100% every year.

 

Our office babus gave the country to Mughals when they got bribes and then to British when they gave bribes and now to Indians when they are giving bribes. So we need to buy our lives from them, buy our independence from them, buy our rights from them and pay for our Democracy/ Development.

 

At least they have made it easier for us now, Bhagat Singh and Subhash Bose had to give his life for Democracy we just have to pay for it.

 

Let us add to the growth of India.

 

Jai Hind,
Gourav Sengupta

(PS: All wirtings are pun intended)

--
Sreepathi Pai

[anilk...@gmail.com]

Guys,

I just now crossed Malleswaram sampige road (opp to KC general hospital and police station...) under pass that is one more grills to KEEP IN MIND!!!!

I really don't know how many more such grills are there in the city that can be a THREAT to use of road bikes.

Very truly,
aNIL

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

---

From: Gourav Sengupta <gourav....@gmail.com>

Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com

Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:30:42 +0000

To: Sreepathi Pai<sre...@gmail.com>

Cc: deepakvrao<deepa...@gmail.com>; Bangalore Bikers Club<bangalor...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [BBC] Re: Is City safe 4 Cycling..!!??

[S o h a n]

Thank you Anil

Please note, another one in the underpass after Sujatha towards Rajajinagar

Cheers
§ • h ª n

 

R ì Ð é   † h ê   ß ï k €

[dhawal]

Yes, this is really bad.  I had realised this 'grill' problem in some basements etc.  I recall going over some of these grills with my MTB, and while most were laid with the rods/gaps perpendicular to the road (the solution is that simple, isn't it?), one was with the rods/gaps parallel to the road, and as I went over it, I got a knot in my stomach as I wondered if the tube/wheel will jam in the gap.  luckily it didn't.  (And in all cases, I was at a slow speed, so other than the risk of dmamage to the wheel, I was not at a risk.)

Having these grills laid with the rods parallel to the road, especially in places like underpasses is a very serious issue.  One will almost invariably be at a speed there.  Definately need this issue raised with the road authorities.  Since there is a bicycle lane / track initiative in BLR, hopefully this will find ears with agencies like DULT.

[S o h a n]

Hi,

Please refer attached images that I was referring to, Rajajinagar entrance under-pass, these pics were taken during off peak hours, around 1:30 PM

Regards

On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:18 PM, vaibhav gaikwad <vaibha...@gmail.com> wrote:

vaibhav gaikwad (vaibha...@gmail.com) is not on your Guest List | Approve sender | Approve domain

Really appreciate your efforts guys. Please if possible share the pics as well.
Thank you all!!

Road conditions have gone from good to worse these days.. dont know wts happening in bangalore.

Each moment of your life is precious. Live it as you like, as you want. Life rocks!