Vagabond's blog
Over the last couple of months, the state of bangalore's infrastructure has come in for much criticism. From people hardly touched by it. I mean, take at a Narayan Murthy for instance. Chaufferred by car to his work place. Or a Deve Gowda who joined issues with him. More so in the case of Deve Gowda. As ex-Prime Minister, he still eligible for a convoy of vehicles all cleared by the traffic constables beforehand.

So are they affected by the roads or the lack of it? Certainly not.

If at all there was someone, it was, is and will continue to be man driving his brand new 4-5 lakh car. Think about hium. 5 to 10 years of slogging his but off and one fine day, a brand new car arrives from the dealers. His years of toil now annouonced by a gleaming set of new wheels. And then, some body goes and leaves his mark on the car. A caress, a dent, a swipe...10 days later, the car's value has depreciated faster than the tax man's calculation.

So what's the best way around in Bangalore. Rewind in years and go back to the time when the bicycle was the only private transportation. Cut to the present, and somehow, the cycle seems the answer. For several reasons.

Let me elaborate.

Most potholes in Bangalore are so large and so close that the only wheels that can go through the gaps is a cycle's. And given the glamour change that the cycle has undergone, a lot more people are now willing to be seen on a bicycle.

The enthusiasm with which the cycle has been embraced is also a case of worry. Ride a cycle and chances are that you might just about (how ever unknowingly though)leave a a mark on a cycle. All the more important if you have a nasty driver trying to run your out of the piddly portion on the road called a cycle median.

All you have to do is then wait for the next traffic signal to draw level. Then slowly nudge your way in front. And while doing so, take extra care that your bicycle leaves your mark on his car. ...for posterity's sake.