What’s more fun than leaving your bike or car behind for a day? Doing it while walking on the very middle of the road, of course.
This weekend, you can do just that. The first edition of Open Streets Bangalore takes place in typically-traffic-heavy HSR Layout. Let's just say we're looking forward to a whole lot of traffic-free ambling.
Walk in peace
The whole idea is to encourage walking, cycling, or the use of public transport. The BMTC also says that they'll run additional services on the day.
You can also take part in one of the many activities they’ve organised: in the run-up to Sunday, Open Streets have already held street plays; also planned are storytelling events, skating, musical performances, and more.
And it’s all day too: right from 6am to 9pm.
A street play by the BMTC at HSR Layout BDA Complex.
Image via Open Streets Bengaluru
What’s Open Streets?
We've always looked forward to the end of the year, when Brigade Road is closed to traffic and we can stroll around on foot. Turns out we're in good company in our love for traffic-free streets. The Open Streets Project is a global initiative to make our streets more fun and less stressful - by closing streets to automotive traffic and encouraging bicycling, dancing, walking, and more.
Who’s behind it?
In Bangalore, a bunch of city-based groups have come together, like the BMTC {Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation}, the DULT {Directorate of Urban Land Transport}, and the BBMP {Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike}.
Needless to say, we're looking forward to the day - and to future editions in other neighbourhoods.
Where: All through HSR Layout
When: Sunday September 20, 6am-9pm
Find the event on Facebook here.
Check out their website here.
Find them on Facebook here.
Hat tip to Citizen Matters, who have a detailed report about the event on their website.
Featured image via Alyssa Bird/Flickr; CC BY 2.0