If the Public Bicycle Scheme for 10 cities envisaged by the Ministry of Urban Development can get rolling and achieve critical mass, it can elevate the humble bicycle to a relaxed, mainstream mode of urban transport. Shared bicycles have won attention in many European cities, notably in Spain and France, and have been making inroads in America. There's nothing novel about using a bicycle as a mobility option in India. But what makes the Ministry's plans under the Mission for Sustainable Habitat different is the attempt to move pedal power up the value chain. It will feature modern bicycles, Information Technology-based operations, control and management systems, and high visibility. These qualities can win converts from the users of cars and motorised two-wheelers. The shift is essential because the outcome can reinforce the principle of equity in the use of roads, ease congestion, and reduce pollution. The benefits will be multi-dimensional. The biggest hurdle to greater use of bicycles in India's cities is not lack of popular demand — but a hostile external environment. The National Urban Transport Policy of 2006 addressed the problem of lack of safety for non-motorised transport but bicycle-inclusive city planning has not followed. If this does not get priority, the public bicycle scheme cannot take off in the first tier of cities.
Bicycles are a low-cost, non-polluting means of getting around but the international experience points to challenges that need to be overcome while implementing shared systems. The Velib in Paris encountered high rates of loss and vandalism but London has fared better and Barcelona's four-year-old Bicing programme has measurably cut down carbon dioxide emissions. There is little doubt that attracting more people, including the better-off sections of society, to this mode of transport will make India's roads safer for the thousands of less affluent cyclists who remain virtually invisible to policymakers. A good start can be made by locating shared bicycle stations in school zones. This can help build loyalty for the programme and community support for re-engineering roads around schools. The 2006 policy did emphasise building segregated rights of way for bicycles and pedestrians but most State governments have ignored the advice, favouring car-oriented development instead. The Urban Development Ministry's plan provides the opportunity to review urban development policies. To advance the egalitarian goal of getting more people to take to bicycles in cities, there must be a conscious effort to restrain motorised traffic and reduce speed. This can be done using road design and policy.
The City that started the whole idea of docking stations for bicycles, now copied by various cities in the US and Europe, is Montreal, Canada.
Take a look at the design for some of the bikes and docking stations in other cities - they come from Montreal under a licencing agreement!
How the marathons are possible with busiest schedules of people? Likewise the Bicycle day will be possible if the people come forward to participate atleast a day where it stands like a stage of educating people more about environmental friendly mode of transport, as arguing there is much to do with the Indian roads, to provide bicycle lanes and better public transport options will move people to make alternate choices other than selfowned vehicles, looking forward for better public transport in India with support of our communities itself.
I would like to register my views sir. Bicycles will not generate pollution, but the roads are not safe. They are low in price and have demand. The benefit of the scheme will be excellent. Cycling helps to improve our health and it is user friendly plus environmental friendly. What we require is bicycle lanes. They will ease congestion on roads.
India is not the right country for this concept. In the US, cars are the preferred mode of personal transportation, mainly due to the distance. Even in India, in most big cities, people travel large distances, so bicycles may not be the preferred mode for even a part of the distance. In addition, it may not be safe to do so, given the way in which motor vehicle users ride their bikes, cars, buses and trucks. And of course, India is too hot or too rainy for this concept to take off.
it would be great if a particular day was declared to be , you know, cycles only ! wouldn't it? I feel many people who actually are inclined to use it, might be hesitant as using cycle is definitely not saying 'high class'. Guess when the entire crowd, 'class no bar' , pedals their way to offices, nobody will feel weird or ashamed..... but only enjoy themselves to health, physically,economically and environmentally speaking !
The editorial has come at a time not later than desired. Our urban space is fast becoming a disaster zone by the burgeoning number of motorised vehicles. The pedal power acts as an antidote to the increasing incidence of diseases like diabetes amongst the new generation that is steeped in sedantary life. A new bicycle culture promotes our endeavour to save our cities from the pervasive carbon emission. In the rural pastures and planes, the bicycle is a symbol of romance and the youth can be encourged in taking to this elegant means of personal mobility.
Bicycles are cheap hence have reach greater section of society. Encouragement of bicycle will surely bring down the pollution level, road rages and oil import. Use of bicycle is also beneficial for good health of common man because in India going gym is very rare and confined to very small section. A separate lane for bicycle will surely be a good initiative for office goers. It will save the money as well as people's health
The Urban Development Ministry should also rope in the Health Ministry to popularise the idea.
However, we must also be aware of the practical side of the concept. In most countries where bicylcing has been a popular mode of transport, there's a temperate climate, where summer is 25 degrees for 2 months. In India, the idea of commuting on a bicycle in 40 degrees for half the year may not be very appealing to people who have other options.
Urban planning is non existent in India.We do not have "school zones",people travel long distances to offices,colleges and for other public amenities.This scheme will never take off, it is better not to waste money on this.
It would be really nice if properly implemented. Bangalore is the best place to start with !
Apart from decongesting traffic and reducing carbon footprints, an increased use of bicycles will definitely help in improving the physical and mental health of the society.It will come as an easy way to get that bit of exercise for your day, while depositing you at your destination at the same time. Infosys campuses around India have been known to provide shared bicycles for the use of their associates which works perfectly. The government should try and take a leaf out of their book!
Hindu edit is innovative.Cycle must be encouraged for people, travelling or journeying in metros,cities and rural areas.In this period of fuel price soaring high and poor in India cannot afford car,motor-cycles;cycle is only cheapest mode of transport-it is pollution free also.In India cycle is poor--oriented vehicle.Its price is in affordable range.Cycle is most popular in rural areas, particularly in tribal zones-you will find couple on cycles for attending offices,journeying for day-to-day sales and purchases of essential.There are instances in rural areas ,particularly in tribal belts-cyclists also use it for carryig grains or other essential commodities wooden fuel etc from jungles. They sell their produce in nearest markets to get better price for their produce,carried on cycles! Cycles must be encouraged in India where 80 percent people are poor.Union and state govts must give subsidy to purchase cycles to poor,curtailing LPG subsidy to rich people!
Not only from environment point of view, using bicycles is good for health. It is a good exercise and helps mitigate some health problems like arthritis which is one of the prevalent diseases in India.
Bicycles can increase income of poor rural households by as much as 30%. Experiments done on about a thousand households in countries like Ghana, Sri Lanka and Uganda show that bicycles can increase rural India's growth rate tremendously. The need is to support the bicycle industry to reduce its prices, encourage micro finance institutions (MFIs) to lend for a bicycle purchase, and if possible, provide a subsidy on loan offered by the MFIs.
For more, plz visit www.bicyclepotential.org
In country like India where vehicles are a social status, implementing this public bicycle scheme is very distant dream.
But the benefits of this schemes are also very broad and very environment friendly. So we should try to use bicycles as much as possible for short distances and transport department should try to provide a very safe environment for recyclers and pedestrians.
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