Karnataka CM launches India's first cycle sharing scheme

The Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah launched Trin Trin, a public bicycle sharing (PBS) system in Mysuru, that enables people to borrow a bicycle for a nominal fee from automated stations. This move is expected to bring down the pollution levels in the city. There is a total of 450 bicycles (430 regular and 20 with gear) that can be borrowed from 48 automated docking stations for a nominal fee. These stations are set up at major tourist destinations, universities and offices. To avail of this facility, the users have to obtain a smart card which they can use to swipe and hire a bicycle from a docking station. The bicycle can be returned at any other station and a user fee gets deducted from the smart card. This scheme is the joint initiative of World Bank, Global Environmental Fund and state directorate of urban land transport. The bicycles are owned by the Mysuru City Corporation while the project is run by Green Wheel Ride which is the manufacturer of eco-friendly bicycles. The Directorate of urban land transport devised this scheme as there are 6.5 lakh registered vehicles in Mysuru and the need was felt for non-motorized modes of transport to protect the environment from the hazards of air pollution.