[saket77]

Slightly OT might be but not completely out of the context to post that :

Cycles have been BANNED in Kolkata

Here is the news link:http://aajtak.intoday.in/story/ban-o...-1-744059.html

[puchoo]

The reasoning behind it is fine

The government and police argue that non-motorised transport slows down traffic

But the manner in which it is implemented is not correct , the correct execution would have been to develop a structure within the road network to give cyclists a different area to "ride" in , make it in such a manner that they cannot come onto the main lanes meant for motorized traffic

Banning cycles is clearly a reflection of the fact that the government does not have a long term vision , what cities should be aiming for are cheaper , environmentally friendly transport mediums - within which a cycle is a solid product.

Head and design keeping in mind cities such as Amsterdam - 73% of the residents in 2011 had cycles and were using that for commuting.

Similar problem in Delhi - we now have rickshaws which initially started operating inside colonies but are now seen all over the main roads , including major ones such as ring road - they are even more dangerous given that they are carrying 3-4 people , and are far slower than the average cycle given the weight - however in their case (rickshaws) i would like to see a drive which restricts them back inside the colonies.

Originally Posted by saket77

Slightly OT might be but not completely out of the context to post that :

Cycles have been BANNED in Kolkata

Here is the news link:http://aajtak.intoday.in/story/ban-o...-1-744059.html

[saket77]

The intention is fine, but certainly the way they want to achieve is ridiculous. It is going to be tough for students, newspaper hawkers, milkmen, cycling enthusiasts and to those who cannot afford any other means of travel. Also, when most cities are grasping with pollution and effects of pollution and are moving towards more greener & cleaner alternatives, this step looks ridiculous.

Agree with what Puchoo has to say that a separate track should be there along with the main road so that cyclists can have their share of the road too.
Before taking such a decision, one should also look into the fact that there are people who cannot afford cars, bikes and scooters or even a public transport.

Regards,
Saket

[dhaval-mehta]

Well because a separate track can't be made and the government not allowing non-motorized vehicles, I have an answer to the problems.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...d-bicycle.html

This was just a rough project but I have bettered my prototype to give 80kmpl and run at maximum speeds of 60 kmph. However I am not sure about the registration requirements and need a little help to know if this vehicle can be run without registration. If not what are the limitations within which I can run my prototype on roads.

With both cycleable and motorable features, I hope it will be a slight relief. But everything will remain a hope until I am able to know the legalities and market it properly. Some help T-Bhpians!!

[babhishek]

Originally Posted by saket77

The intention is fine, but certainly the way they want to achieve is ridiculous. It is going to be tough for students, newspaper hawkers, milkmen, cycling enthusiasts and to those who cannot afford any other means of travel. Also, when most cities are grasping with pollution and effects of pollution and are moving towards more greener & cleaner alternatives, this step looks ridiculous.

Agree with what Puchoo has to say that a separate track should be there along with the main road so that cyclists can have their share of the road too.
Before taking such a decision, one should also look into the fact that there are people who cannot afford cars, bikes and scooters or even a public transport.

Regards,
Saket

While I agree with your comments, I do have two points( since you are in Ranchi, and you must/might have visited Kolkata)
- have you seen the list of roads under the ban? pretty decent, IMO.
- students dont really use cycles nowadays, especially in non residential layout areas.. as in major roads with lots of vehicular traffic!

[saket77]

Originally Posted by babhishek

While I agree with your comments, I do have two points( since you are in Ranchi, and you must/might have visited Kolkata)
- have you seen the list of roads under the ban? pretty decent, IMO.
- students dont really use cycles nowadays, especially in non residential layout areas.. as in major roads with lots of vehicular traffic!

Hello Abhishek,

Glad to read your opinion.

I think some 174 roads are banned which is probably the entire city as per the news. And may be you are right that now most students have actually graduated to bikes (before attaining graduation) from cycles but the worst hit will be the newspaper hawkers and people who deliver milk through cycles. Many of those guys do not own bikes and even if they have, it is simply not viable to burn fuel which costs Rs. 80/ litre to deliver a newspaper worth Rs. 4/-. I think an alternate arrangement is a must before rolling out such decisions.

Regards,
Saket

[babhishek]

Originally Posted by saket77

Hello Abhishek,

Glad to read your opinion.

I think some 174 roads are banned which is probably the entire city as per the news. And may be you are right that now most students have actually graduated to bikes (before attaining graduation) from cycles but the worst hit will be the newspaper hawkers and people who deliver milk through cycles. Many of those guys do not own bikes and even if they have, it is simply not viable to burn fuel which costs Rs. 80/ litre to deliver a newspaper worth Rs. 4/-. I think an alternate arrangement is a must before rolling out such decisions.

Regards,
Saket

Saket,

I agree to your points, as mentioned earlier. However, even paper distribution, today in major cities follows a point to point distribution. And diesel vehicles are used for distribution at predestined locations, where sorting is done and delivered to the last mile. The last mile is key here, with many inner roads still available for cycling ( interestingly, cycles, rickshaws still use the inner roads which vehicles and SUVs avoid to commute).
Yes there will be wide spread anger, the environmentalists will shout, and there will be major impacts to dense office areas and commercial wholesale market areas, where Rickshaws, Cycles and carts still abound.
However, the "Rs 80 is to Rs 4", is a bit extreme, and Kolkata has does have more than 174 roads.. Cyclists will switch to alternative routes, unless the protests take a far more aggressive turn!

[canonball]

I have been advised that the Indian Motor Vehicle Act 0f 1988 states that cars imported into India if found to be Left Hand Drive will need to give an undertaking that the same will be converted into Right Hand Drive within 6 Months of import and registration. I have been searching the act but no dice as yet. This is a uniques area where there is absolutely zero clarity so would appreciate it someone has any idea or means to research the same as it will help thx

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by canonball

I have been advised that the Indian Motor Vehicle Act 0f 1988 states that cars imported into India if found to be Left Hand Drive will need to give an undertaking that the same will be converted into Right Hand Drive within 6 Months of import and registration.

All these relaxations were stopped in 2000. After few months, only Auto firms were allowed to import LHS cars for R&D.

These were implemented by Directorate General of Foreign Trade

http://dgft.gov.in/exim/2000/pn/pn00/pn0300.htm
http://dgftcom.nic.in/exim/2000/not/not01%5Cnot0400.htm
http://dgftcom.nic.in/exim/2000/not/not06/not0206.htm
http://dgft.gov.in/exim/2000/cir/cir04/cir1004.htm

EDIT:

http://dgftcom.nic.in/exim/2000/not/not01%5Cnot0400.htm -- this mentions:

(b) The second hand or used vehicle shall :
(i) have right hand steering, and controls (applicable on vehicles other than two and three wheelers);
(ii) have a speedometer indicating the speed in Kilometres; and
(iii) have photometry of the headlamps to suit “keep left” traffic.

[canonball]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

All these relaxations were stopped in 2000. After few months, only Auto firms were allowed to import LHS cars for R&D.

These were implemented by Directorate General of Foreign Trade

http://dgft.gov.in/exim/2000/pn/pn00/pn0300.htm
http://dgftcom.nic.in/exim/2000/not/not01%5Cnot0400.htm
http://dgftcom.nic.in/exim/2000/not/not06/not0206.htm
http://dgft.gov.in/exim/2000/cir/cir04/cir1004.htm

EDIT:

http://dgftcom.nic.in/exim/2000/not/not01%5Cnot0400.htm -- this mentions:

Hey thanks so LHD cars imported before 2000 are safe? can be plied on the roads without hassle or harassment/kosher? I have been told this is related to RTO and not daft!!

Also I have been given another goggly on this count. LHD cars cannot be reregistered into other states, an owner who wants to transfer his LHD car for one state to another the incoming RTO will not reregister it? Same goes for people buying LHD cars and registering them from one state to another?

[achopraa]

Sometime in mid-October this year, wifey was driving the car and it was over speeding at 65kmph as against the prescribed Speed limit of 50kmph.
It was picked up in the speed cameras and a Speed Violation Challan was issued on the spot for Rs.400.
The challan was duly paid and the receipt received.
This was the very first violation of any Traffic rules by her.

Now, a couple of days back we received a notice from Transport Office in Delhi that Delhi Traffic Police has recommended for Suspension/Disqualification of the said licence under section(s) 19 of MVA, 1998". This is due to the challan that was issue u/s 112.1/183(1) MVA for commiting the offences of Over Speeding.

She has now been asked to meet the MLO in person and explain why the Licence should not be cancelled/suspended.

Upon checking the Dehi Traffic Police website, the Licence is showing as blacklisted.

I am confused firstly for receiving the notice and further to what needs to be done when meeting the MLO.

Any guidance/help on this subject would be appreciated.

[VeluM]

Originally Posted by achopraa

Sometime in mid-October this year, wifey was driving the car and it was over speeding at 65kmph as against the prescribed Speed limit of 50kmph.

I think this is to bring a little more fear of breaking the lawn into traffic offenders. Our attitude usually is that once the fine is paid, it is forgotten. I appreciate if it is carried out in the right spirit, and not used randomly to harass people.

There is also an issue of random violations sent to people (for example to me for driving without a helmet - I never drive a two wheeler without a helmet!

Anyway, in this instance you would need to demonstrate remorse, and a commitment to obeying traffic rules in future. Fine paid is not the end of it, it is a lesson to be learnt, is what I think they're trying to say. Let them know that you've heard and understood the message.

Note: This is my opinion only, which is not based on any knowledge of the actual intentions of the police.

[speedmiester]

Originally Posted by achopraa

I am confused firstly for receiving the notice and further to what needs to be done when meeting the MLO.

Any guidance/help on this subject would be appreciated.

I would advice you to accompany your wife to meet the MLO and plead the case. Request for non suspension or cancellation as you were unaware of the rules and would stick to speed limits in the future.

Ignoring it might cause far more issues at a later stage.

[achopraa]

Turns out we were not alone.
Around 64000 notices have been rolled out to people in Delhi who were challaned for over speeding in October.
There were 800 people asked to come and meet MLO today at one Transport office.
But he barely met a few.
All were asked to deposit their licenses for 3 months, meaning licence suspension for 3 months.
No requests were entertained, no chance was given to plead the case.

I don't want to sound cynical because obviously we erred and ideally I respect such a move but a suspension for first offence of over speeding at 65 is a bit too harsh.

Meanwhile, on the TV at the background -
Bollywood actor cleared over hit-and-run

[VeluM]

Originally Posted by achopraa

Turns out we were not alone.
Around 64000 notices have been rolled out to people in Delhi who were challaned for over speeding in October.

Originally Posted by achopraa

I don't want to sound cynical because obviously we erred and ideally I respect such a move but a suspension for first offence of over speeding at 65 is a bit too harsh.

Think about it this way instead: Now not only will your wife, but you and many of the people you tell this story to will think twice before speeding (or breaking any other traffic rule for that matter), instead of being nonchalant about it. It may even encourage a few to read up on what exactly the rules are to begin with so that they don't unwittingly break one.

I think it is a good move, and once speeding/breaking rules becomes an exception rather than the rule, then they can move to a three-strike/other warning processes.