To fight global warming and for a cleaner environment some
European countries have created infrastructure to promote cycling in cities for commuting.
Can the success of this initiative can be replicated in cities across India ? Cycling is already popular in India. It is preferred mode of transport by students and teenagers for middle classes. As people grow old they shift to more mechanized means of transport .If you consider large Indian cities where can become an important means of transport Bangalore seems to be the ideal place .
Why Bangalore is ideal place in India to promote cycling ?
1> Climate : The climate of Bangalore remains pleasant for at least 9 months of the year(the remaining months aren't that bad either). So it should not be a problem for people to leave the comforts of their AC car and cycle to office.
2> Young population of software professionals : Bangalore is the silicon valley of India. South Bangalore is the hub of software companies (but with BIAL that may change). Most of the people working in these companies are below the age of 40 . This age group is best suited for rigours (in case you consider cycling to be rigrous .We are living in the age where any sort of physical work is considered rigrous.) of cycling. Secondly the young are more receptive to change. So a change in a habit should be relatively easy for them. Perhaps also they have more at stake when it comes to environment. ( They have to spend more time on this planet than the old generation :) ).
3> Nature of work and health reasons : By nature the work in s/w industry is sedantry. There is little or no physical exercise involved. So it's good to have some physical exercise for maintaining good health. So instead of work outs on tread mills in gymns what about some real cycling .
4> Traffic jams : Finally if people their cars at home while commuting and use cycles it will help in reducing the stressful traffic jams and will make commuting to office a pleasure ride .
5> Shorter distances : In software industry companies are located inside cities unlike some other industries. So the distance for commuting are shorter. Shorter distances are suitable for cycling. Though this argument is not valid in all cases .(say for example if your office happens to be in Electronic city)
Why is it the right time to do ?
1>Rising oil prices : As the oil prices are rising it will be easier to encourage people to shift to cheaper means of transport .
2> Concern for environment : As the ill effects of global warming become apparent there is a greater urgency to reduce our carbon footprint .
3> Pollution in cities : Increasing number of vehicles in Indian cities mean more pollution and thus increase in related ailments . So a need to shift to cleaner means of transport .
What can be done ?
In India promoting cycles can not be done just by private comapanies or government alone.
In Bangalore for example s/w companies and govt. should come together and chalk out the roadmap .Perhaps they can learn from European countries in this regard .
I am not discussing here the various strategies needed for bringing the change . That itself is a big topic .
Pune has already taken lead in cycling. According to
Outlook Business "Although cycling is on the decline in many Indian cities,Pune is alive to possibilities.With over 800,000 cyclists,it has already laid out 26 kms of cycle track. The Pune Municipal Corporation is in talks with various agencies to st up a world-class bike-sharing system."We will soon lay about 200 km of cycle tacks. "says Pravinsinh Pardeshi,Commissioner PMC. The city is crafting a Rs 20 crore system of 1300 stations and 20000 bikes"
Labels: Bangalore, green, mutiny
