KOCHIAt least two IT companies in Kochi are offering their employees, who prefer cycling to work, facilities that allow them to freshen up before they begin the daily grind.All the three campuses of Cognizant Technology Solutions in the city and the one belonging to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have provided shower rooms and locker rooms that allow techies who prefer green commuting to do so without making others uncomfortable when they enter the work cubicles.Cognizant campus at Phase-II of the Infopark in Kochi offers fullfledged facilities, while the ones at Muthoot Technopolis and Infopark Phase-I offer them in a limited manner.“Cognizant began providing them cycles since 2010. We also have a cycle rack with 10 to 12 cycles, which can be used by employees on the campus. You can see people cycling in the evenings,” said cycling enthusiast Rajesh T K.Rajesh said there are around five to eight people in his office who cycle to work from Fort Kochi and Tripunithura daily.“We also have a cycling club called Pedallions,” said Rajesh, who, however, does not use a cycle to work because he stays too close to the office. “I used to do that before but not anymore because cycling for small distances does not give the pedalling pleasure,” he said.Many cyclists said they do not consider cycling to work as it is riskier than riding a bike. “They all keep it safe with helmets and other gear but vehicles that violate oneway rules are a serious threat. Another issue is pothole-ridden roads,” said Rajesh.Bumpy roads may not be a problem for motor cycles with good suspensions but it can be quite a strain on cyclists.

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