Go Green with Bicycle

[Hara Narayan]

With rapid urbanization, the transport
systems based on a combination of rail, bicycles, and pedestrian
walkways offer the best of all in providing low-cost transportation and
a healthy urban environment. Bicycle
alleviates traffic congestion, lowers air pollution and noise, reduces
obesity, increases physical fitness, does not emit climate-disrupting
carbon dioxide, and is affordable for billions of people who cannot buy
an automobile.

Bicycles take up one thirtieth the road
space used by cars traveling at a moderate pace. Six bicycles can
typically fit into the road space used by one car. For parking, the
advantage is even greater, with 20 bicycles
occupying the space required to park one car. The key to realizing the
potential is to create a bicycle-friendly transport system. This means
providing both bicycle trails and designated lanes on streets for
bicycles. On-street improvements are essential to encourage more and
safer city cycling by women, children and middle-aged and older
citizens.
Germany has over 31,000 kilometers of paths
and lanes exclusively for bicycles whereas Netherlands having almost
19,000 kilometers is the first country to establish an official
national bicycle policy. In addition to creating bicycle lanes and
trails in all its cities, the system gives cyclists the advantage over
motorists in right-of-ways and at traffic lights. France created a
national bicycle plan in 1994. In Stockholm, one of the world's
wealthiest cities, car use has declined in recent years. Railroads and
buses are increasingly linked with pedestrian and bicycle routes. In
Copenhagen, one third of the population commutes to work by bicycle.
World bicycle production reached 104
million in 2002 from 11 million in 1950.India produced more than 11
million (2002) increased from 8 in 1990. Most of these are ridden
domestically or shipped to Africa. China's production increased from 32
(1990) to 62million (2002).

Lutyen's Delhi, Corbusier's Chandigarh and
Koingsberger's Bhubaneswar Plans did not elaborate on integration of
various complex Transportation modes. It has become imperative to
address the people's problems and aspirations in the process of
Planning.

Cycling has too often been given
insufficient attention in transport and land use planning. It has been
easy to assume that because few people appear to cycle, this will
always be so. Multi-stage trips (e.g. cycling then train) need to be
identified, together with the potential for modal transfer.

A Cycling Inventory should be considered,
including: 1) Extent of cycling activity 2) Accidents and road danger
3) Opportunities 4) Quality - coherence, convenience, safety, security,
and comfort.

The plan-making process should secure the
participation of: 1) Existing cycle and related interest groups 2)
Wider environmental and community interests - identifying deterrents to
cycling such as air pollution and danger. Safe routes to schools may be
a special issue. 3) Businesses, health, educational and other
employers. Green Commuter Plans may be negotiated with large firms,
reducing car use and encouraging cycling.

Key issues in plan-making include: 1)
Bringing origins and destinations closer together 2) Land use mixing3)
Locating developments so as to be well-served by foot, cycle and public
transport, with good links between cycle facilities and
public transport 4) Providing secure and attractively located cycle
parking 5) Development of strategic and local cycle networks, with
implementation priorities established

Making our streets and pathways safer and
accessible to cyclists will encourage more people to pedal to work and
to use bikes for recreation. The Perspective Plans for our towns and
cities must include Green Transport Plan to give a new horizon to
sustainable development in our Planning process. Let's plan our cities
towards a Better Earth, Better Life and Better Tomorrow.