City bicycle sharing operational timings extended

Earlier, the cycles were available only from 8 am to 8 pm. A Corporation official said that the move to extend timings is a result of repeated requests from the public and would help morning walkers at beaches to also perform cycling.

Meanwhile, the civic body has also inaugurated new dock-less cycle stations at 15 locations, increasing the total number to around 40 now. “We have also introduced a monthly rental system in addition to the hourly rental system in practice. Riders can use cycles for 24 hours by paying Rs 49 and for a month with Rs 249. They can also use the cycles for three months by paying Rs 699,” the official said.

The civic body would charge Rs 5 per hour and Rs 9 for every additional 30 minutes. Recently, the civic body has opened a cycle station on Theagaraya Road, where a pedestrian plaza is coming up.

As per Corporation’s data, average rides had fallen to 157 per day during the week from July 23 from an earlier 236 rides per day recorded between February 27 and July 30.

The move to extend the operational hours has elicited positive response from the public. “Last time when I went to Marina Beach with my husband, we noticed the cycle station. We wanted to try the cycles and enjoy a ride along the beach, but we could not do so, as it was 8.05 pm. But now, with the time being extended until 10 pm, it [the service] is bound to come in handy for many,” M Vishnupriya said.