Answering commonly asked
questions around Cycling in
Templates & Guides India
Today, most Indian cities are dealing with the challenge of rising motor vehicles.
There are multiple issues related to this,
like traffic congestion, parking issue, increasing pollution, rising road accidents.
The good news is that cycles can help resolve these issues!
Reduce Reduce carbon Improve
congestion footprint air quality
This document is for all the change-makers advocating for cycling in India.
Learn Educate Grow
to address the concerns your team to spread the community of
around cycling in India awareness change-makers
Here are 4 frequently raised concerns around cycling in India
01. Nobody cycles in India, then why build infrastructure
02. It is uncomfortable to cycle in a hot climate like India
03. Segregated cycle tracks will reduce carriageway and create congestion
04. Can cycling be the solution for all our trips in the city?
Let us understand them one-by-one.
Nobody cycles in India, then why build infrastructure?
01
19% of all trips in India are on cycles! Source: TERI Analysis, 2016 data
Cycling as a mode of commute
Cycling to work
Cycling for fitness Cycling as a mode of commute Cycling to school
Further, 95% + people have stated that they would cycle if it is safe and convenient in their cities.
Source: India Cycles4Change Challenge Perception Survey, out of 27,000 responses nationally, 2021
The cycling community has been growing rapidly across the country!
Strava Metro data showing cycling growing in cities 19+ cities initiated the
across the country from 2019 to 2020 Cycle2Work campaign!
Silvassa conducted a
45-day pilot with
6 industries to launch the
Cycle2Work campaign, and
saved 305 litres of fuel!
Chennai Kochi
Chandigarh Surat
2019
2020
Silvassa
Further, overall cycle sales have also been on the rise showing growing demand!
Cycling expected to
increase by
50-65%
Cycle
Source: ITDP India survey on
travel behaviour post-lockdown
But it is uncomfortable to cycle in such hot climates like
India
02
Right design of cycling infrastructure can help beat the heat!
The dense tree cover in
Chandigarh makes cycling
more comfortable.
Bengaluru
Even surface for
cycling allows a
smooth and fast
ride.
30+ cities have already
initiated work towards
permanent cycling
infrastructure!
Chandigarh Source: Monthy update form data
Source: Tribune India for India Cycles4Change Challenge
Chandigarh
E-bicycles can make the experience more convenient in hot climates
Many PBS service
Geared cycles make cycling
providers are now
more appealing in all
supplying cities with
climates!
e-bikes
Types of e-bicycles:
● Full throttle means that
motor will power you with
or without pedalling
● Pedal assist means that
motor will engage or help
you when you are pedalling
Pimpri-Chinchwad Source: Tribune India
We are not alone! Many other cities with harsh climates are adopting cycling…
In the cycling capital of
the world, Amsterdam,
people cycle through
harsh snowy winters
too!
Dubai, where
temperatures reach as
high as 40 degrees
celsius has also started
investing in safe and
convenient cycling
infrastructure. 16km cycle track at Jumeriah Beach, Dubai Source: Urban Observer
Source: [Link]
Now that we know that our cycling community is huge
and it is growing rapidly…
It is the right time to talk about building good cycling
infrastructure!
Segregated cycle tracks will reduce carriageway and create congestion
03
There has always been a push back for cycle lanes. It is part of the journey!
Bicycle lane protest in New York
Source: [Link]
But there is no end to increasing street width for motor vehicles.
26-lane traffic jam on
Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway
Source: Bloomberg
Hebbal Junction on Bellary Road in Bengaluru
Source: The Hindu Source: [Link]
Cycling can, in fact, provide a way out of congestion!
Cyclist numbers have
increased by 60% on the
Bicycle Superhighway on
London’s Embankment.
Source: Martin Godwin, The Guardian
Given a choice, people will
shift to more efficient
modes of transport!
Bicycle Superhighway on London’s Embankment
Source: Martin Godwin, The Guardian
Once people experience the benefits, they demand more cycling infrastructure!
Benefits experienced in Bogota:
Each year, it eliminates around
22,000 metric tons of CO2
Prevents ~300 deaths a year
Source: Fast Company
Benefits experienced in New
York:
54% decrease in speeding
vehicles
The street moved 13% more
commuters
63% reduction in traffic crashes
that caused injuries
Source: New York City Department of
CicloRutas in Bogota Cycle lane in NYC Transportation Traffic Management Division
Source: Development Asia Source: [Link]
What if you do not have the width to provide a segregated cycle lane?
Narrow streets can be designed as A slow street ensures that
slow streets to make cyclists feel traffic speeds remain
safe to share the street with cars below 30 kmph through
traffic-calming design
elements to reduce the
risk of fatality and serious
injuries on impact.
Check out the
Neighbourhood Design
Guidelines for more
details!
Tabletop crossing in Chennai
But wait, can cycling be the solution for all our trips in the city?
04
Cycling integrated with public transport can be the solution for long trips!
I can carry my cycle to school
With the right infrastructure in place, cycles can be used as last mile in the metro!
connectivity for long trips.
Home Cycle trip Metro / Bus Transport Trip Cycle trip Destination
PBS operators have started subscription plans to
allow users to take cycles home.
Chennai metro has started providing free of cost
cycle riding at metro stations to ensure last mile
connectivity.
Nagpur
Communicate the right message to nudge cycling for short-distance trips!
I agree! Cycling is the most
affordable of all modes of
transport!
Not only that, it also boosts
productivity by improving mental
and physical health!
Access useful resources and guides on websites below to make your city cycling friendly!
[Link] [Link]
