Letter to BS: Utility will gradually replace technology in urban mobility

This refers to your article “Cycling to the ultimate mobility solution” (January 1). The wheel is obviously turning full circle. Technological advancement has indeed made man overlook environmental benefits. Excessive petrol and diesel fumes is increasing atmospheric pollution. Cars were invented to save on time. 

However, with excessive modernisation people have come to associate cars and fuel-driven two-wheelers as status symbols rather than utility vehicles. The increased production of such vehicles has clogged roads and today travelling time has increased rather than decreased. Humility pays in the final analysis and the utility value of the cycle is being felt all the more today. Western countries have already taken measures to reduce parking spaces and reduce the use of technology-driven transport to solve the problem of road congestion, save time and reverse the effects of atmospheric pollution. A new mindset needs to be inculcated among the future generations so that they take to cycles as the primary mode of transport.

Cycles are available at more affordable prices and can even be rented in some places. Infrastructure modification may be difficult and costly but not impossible. Utility will gradually replace technology.

C Gopinath Nair  Kochi

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