Fwd: Cycle Ban Kolkata - Seeking Lawyers/ Researchers / Volunteers
Ekta Kothari
Switch ON would love to have you "Join Us" in the campaign to regain kolkata as a sustainable and living city. We are looking for Lawyers, Researchers, Volunteers and Partners to
- Help us prepare the writ
- Join in the writ against the above order
- Spread the word
Ekta Kothari Jaju | SwitchON*
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Sub: Request for Withdrawal of Restriction on Cycling in 174 thoroughfares in Kolkata
As you would already know that bicycle is one such means of transport which does not emit any smoke and does not consume fossil fuel and the most socially inclusive method of transport. In fact, regular cycling has many health benefits and building cycling infrastructure and promoting cycling is almost mandatory for any competitive urban city in the world.- As per the data from Ministry of Urban Development (2008), Kolkata is the only metropolitan Indian city where the percentage of trips by cycle (11%) outnumbers the percentage of trips by cars (8%).
- The data from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways proved that cycling is the safest mode of transport, with only 1.5% of the accidents been caused due to the fault of cyclists against 71% cause due to the faults of motor vehicle drivers.
- Also Kolkata has the lowest number of private cars and the least amount of road space (6%) among metro cities. Cycling is practical and popular with the masses.
- With a population of over 14 million, urban agglomeration of Kolkata is among the most densely populated in the country. At least 7,750 people live in one sq. km. area. Cycling is a practical mode of transport in such areas. Data of the Union Ministry of Urban Development shows people in Kolkata make nearly 2.5 million cycle trips a day, second only to Delhi
- With the average speed of traffic in Kolkata varying between 14 - 18 km per hour, we certainly cannot say that cycles slow down the vehicular traffic.
- Kolkata is the most polluted metropolitan city in the country and is around 2.5 times more dangerous than the capital city of Delhi.
Given this background, one of the 10 major goals identified in the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) in line with the National Urban Transport Policy - 2006 is to create facilities for walking and cycling in all 2 lac+ cities and State capitals, as these are non-polluting modes that do not use fossil fuels and provide social equity. Bicycling has become a priority again in Indian cities and more so in the West. According to European Union, 73 % of Europeans think that bicycles should benefit from preferential treatment compared with cars. Union ministry of Urban Development - through its National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) - is pushing to increase the share of both public and non-motorised transport and promoting bicycles as the fittest means of commute
Therefore, when Kolkata Traffic Police banned cycling in 174 thoroughfares in Kolkata, we were surprised and disturbed. Bicycles are inexpensive; take much less space, good for the environment, and least likely to cause jams and accidents. We hereby request you to please remove the restriction for cyclists from the city under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police Traffic Department. Enclosed please find a case paper for a living and socially inclusive Kolkata in support of the request.