Hyderabads solar cycling track sees weekend surge as residents demand more cycles
Hyderabad is witnessing a significant surge in weekend footfall at its solar cycling track along the Outer Ring Road (ORR), as residents take to the eco-friendly route for recreation and fitness. While the initiative is being widely praised as a step forward in promoting sustainable urban infrastructure, the rising popularity is now highlighting infrastructure limitations. Long wait times, a shortage of rental cycles, and limited entry points are increasingly becoming a source of frustration for weekend visitors.
The cycling track, which runs parallel to the ORR and operates under solar panels that provide both shelter and energy, has emerged as a unique attraction for Hyderabadis looking for a safe, car-free environment for physical activity. The concept is not only environmentally sustainable but also aligns with the city’s growing interest in promoting non-motorized transport. However, its rising weekend popularity has brought logistical challenges to the forefront, with residents now calling for urgent upgrades. According to residents and cycling enthusiasts, the main issue lies in the number of available rental bicycles. Currently, fewer than 200 bikes are available through two vendors operating at the track. With hourly pricing set at ₹59 per cycle, users have complained of waiting up to an hour just to rent a bicycle, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. On weekdays, the crowd is far more manageable as most users bring their own bikes, but weekends are an entirely different story.
A member of the Hyderabad Cycling Revolution, told local media that the situation is becoming unmanageable on weekends. “The track is buzzing, there are long queues, and people end up waiting 45 minutes to an hour just to get a cycle. The problem is, we have only two vendors providing regular and e-cycles. On weekdays, it’s mostly people who bring their own cycles, but weekends are a different story. If more hubs or entry points were opened, it would really help manage the crowd. It’s a safe space and a great initiative, but the infrastructure needs to catch up with the demand,” he said. The issue is not just about the number of cycles but also about access points. Residents have pointed out that limited entry points are creating bottlenecks, further worsening the congestion during peak hours. The sheer scale of the ORR cycling track offers immense potential, but without additional access zones and strategically placed rental hubs, much of that potential remains untapped on busy days. Suggestions from the cycling community include opening more rental hubs along the track and improving digital booking systems to help manage queues in advance.
When approached for comment, a vendor operating at the cycling track, acknowledged the weekend crowd but offered a business perspective. “While weekends might seem busy, during the week we barely see a crowd. We have over 60 cycles. Even if we wanted to increase the number of cycles to meet weekend demand, it wouldn’t make sense. The cycles are priced so low, we barely break even,” she said. This statement underlines the underlying financial challenge—maintaining and expanding a fleet that sits idle on weekdays is not an economically viable option under the current pricing model. The economics of public bicycle rentals continue to be a tricky terrain for operators. While the initiative has received praise from environmentalists and civic planners alike, the lack of a dynamic pricing or scheduling mechanism is limiting profitability for vendors and leading to service gaps for users. Experts believe that unless the city introduces a revenue-sharing model or subsidies for weekend scale-ups, the private sector will remain reluctant to invest further.
Despite these operational hiccups, the solar cycling track remains one of the most ambitious and innovative public infrastructure projects in Hyderabad. The track, covered with solar panels, not only promotes green commuting but also contributes clean energy back to the grid. It has become a symbol of the city’s aspirations to integrate sustainability with public health and urban transport. Families, fitness enthusiasts, amateur cyclists, and tourists are drawn to it not just for exercise but for the overall experience—green spaces, freedom from traffic, and a sense of community. The current swell in usage points to a deeper behavioral shift. Hyderabadis are becoming more health-conscious and environmentally aware, especially in the post-pandemic landscape. The demand for open-air, safe recreational spaces has soared, and the solar cycling track fits that need perfectly. However, if the city fails to adapt the infrastructure to the rising demand, it risks losing public goodwill and dampening enthusiasm for similar future projects.
Calls are now growing louder for the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and other relevant bodies to intervene and devise a solution that balances economic viability with public access. Suggestions include increasing weekend rental capacity through mobile hubs, using app-based booking systems to stagger cycle allotment, and even experimenting with ride-sharing models. Some residents have proposed corporate sponsorships or CSR tie-ups to help subsidize additional cycles on weekends, reducing the financial burden on vendors.
Hyderabad’s solar cycling track is a powerful example of what urban planning can achieve when it aligns with environmental goals and community needs. However, the current mismatch between supply and demand threatens to undo some of its early success. With strategic planning and modest investment, the city can not only fix these issues but also set a precedent for how India’s urban centres can reimagine mobility and public health in the 21st century.
