Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday approved the cycle-sharing policy of the Unified Traffic Transportation Infrastructure Planning and Engineering Centre (UTTIPEC).
The policy is aimed to promote the use of bicycles for last-mile connectivity and reduce pollution and vehicular congestion in the city.
Cycle-sharing scheme, popular in European countries, allows sharing of a bicycle between multiple users. Unlike ‘rent-a-cycle’ scheme, where the hired cycle has to be returned by the first user only, the sharing system allows the same cycle to be used and returned by multiple users.
“It is very essential to change the behaviour of people through policy changes. Today, even for 1-2 kms we are forced to use motorbikes or cars and this adds to the pollution and congestion in the streets and therefore promotion of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure is vital to reduce pollution as well as congestion,” said Mr. Jung.
The cycle sharing system is set to have a mobility card (smart card) that the users will be able to use in the Metro or the DTC cluster buses, and also in shops for any other transactions, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) said. The card shall be linked to individual’s identity and the use of bicycles shall be monitored by an operation control centre. While UTTIPEC is the urban planning arm the authority, DDA will implement the policy in coordination with other Urban Local Bodies (ULB).
“As per the decision, land-owning agencies like PWD, DDA, municipal corporations etc. will provide NMT (non-motorised transport) lanes and related infrastructure. The safety and mobility of cyclists and pedestrians will also be ensured so that the city moves towards having safe cycling infrastructure in the streets and at intersections,” the DDA said.
The authority is partnering with the Centre for Green Mobility (CGM), a non-profit organisation, in preparation of the plan and providing technical assistance. The cycle sharing system in Dwarka, on the lines of the policy will enable implementation of 100 kms of shaded cycle tracks and pedestrian walkways along with 180 cycle stations spread over 30 sqkm of area, in a network that will have 2,500 cycles.
DDA vice-chairman, Balvinder Kumar, said, “DDA shall run the system for the first three years without expectation of a lot of revenue.” The cycle sharing stations in Dwarka shall be placed close to each other. The cycle stations at Delhi Metro and other important locations will be larger, having over 40 cycles.
