Just before the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease, our lives were in a never-ending loop of being occupied with something or the other, with hardly a thought for ourselves or those around us or even what is around us. Survival and growth were the lynchpins around which our lives evolved and revolved. Much like riding a bicycle – as long as you keep pedalling you move and stay afloat. You stop, you fall.
The Pandemic put a stop to the bicycle of life but kick-started a challenge to mount and ride the real leg powered two-wheeler in the City of Mangaluru.
The cosmopolitan coastal city of Mangaluru is now participating in the India Cycles4Change Challenge in its pursuit to become a cycling-friendly city.
But first things first. What does the citizenry think of making Mangaluru a cycling-friendly city? A survey is being conducted to ascertain that… and to create awareness of the benefits of cycling…
You too can participate in the Survey, in fact, you must. Access it at https://smartnet.niua.org/indiacyclechallenge/
The India Cycles4Change Challenge is an initiative of the Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India to inspire and support Indian cities to quickly implement cycling-friendly initiatives in response to the disease of COVID-19. The Challenge aims to help cities connect with their citizens as well as experts to develop a vision that unites people, along with initiatives to promote cycling for the benefit of both environmental and personal health.
“The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is committed to helping cities develop high-quality transport systems that offer sustainable mobility options to their residents. I urge all the cities to work towards achieving a vision of safe and fun cycling to everyone”, said Mr Hardeep Singh Puri, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. (as cited in https://smartnet.niua.org/indiacyclechallenge/)
Why participate in this challenge?
The challenge was launched in June 2020, to high light steps in developing and maintaining eco-friendly measures and the other options that are sustainable in nature. The initiate intends to build extensive cycling-networks that would use low-cost methods like pop-up cycle lanes, non-motorised zones and set up community-led cycle rental schemes. This initiative would increase the need for a personalized form of transport, enabling one to go green and avoid fuel.
Interestingly, a recent survey by the ITDP India Programme shows that cycling could increase by 50-65% as cities come out of lockdown, therefore helping cities green their economic recovery. As a bonus, this will also provide major health benefits as physical activity increases; besides, it is an affordable means of mobility for low-income households. The environmental impact is obvious. It would mean minimal dependence on fossils and mineral resources, reduced emissions and pollution, and provide a noble objective for individuals to pursue – preserve the environment.
How does it work?
The Smart Cities Mission has issued several guidelines for the city to follow to participate in the challenge. Cities with over 5 Lakh population, and under the Smart Cities Mission can enrol in this challenge. This would allow Mangaluru city to participate in the Challenge and allow its citizenry to embrace the beauty of pedalling through the streets. The challenge consists of two stages, for people to reinvent their cities with an eco-friendly cycling environment.
The India Programme of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) will be the knowledge partner of the Smart Cities Mission to assist the Mission in conducting this challenge and guiding cities in developing and implementing the measures.
Right from a healthy being to a healthy environment, cycling promotes vivid benefits to all of us. But it goes beyond that. The Indian economy will stand to benefit by INR 1.8trillion, annually.
Let’s join our hands together to make Mangaluru one of the best cycling-friendly environment cities of India. Tring Tring!
Sources:https://smartnet.niua.org/indiacyclechallenge/
https://smartnet.niua.org/indiacyclechallenge/content/home
https://www.studyiq.com/blog/india-cycles-4-change-challenge-free-pdf/