Every morning when a Delhiite gets ready to begin a new day at office, school, or college, He or She hopes to reach home early in the evening without the stress of the traffic. The stress of boss or an exam sometimes becomes secondary for them because it is more important to reach on time to face that! Despite this we dare to take out our cars and wait for that next green light in vain to find another red light signal.
I recently met a public transport activist, Mark Gorton, who was on a visit to India to speak with Delhi Cycling Club project members to discuss issues and learning from public transport in US and possibilities of promoting bicycle to work irrespective of the social status of the commuters in Delhi. He discussed about some of his initiatives in the US, notably getting Times Square car free at some weekends, advocacy of bicycle to work, and sincere efforts in replicating the model of Copenhagen in some towns.
Copenhagenization: Denmark is called the bicycle capital of the world with more 50% people commuting to work on their bicycles and still phenomenal efforts being made by the authorities to increase this further. Recently the public authorities announced the construction of 26 bicycle super highways of which one is already functional between Copenhagen and Albertslund. Imagine 11 miles of car free highway marked by water bodies, birds and beautiful landscapes, where you ride to work!
The life must have become more blissful for the Danish people and we can just imagine and hope the same for us someday. It is important that we also take the urban transformation of Delhi seriously before it gets too late, as warned by Mark citing the New York bridges.
The first step is to unlearn the notion that the means of transport are related to one's social status. The same notion has caused the use of cycles in India from 30% (1994) to only 11% (2008) as per a recent study conducted by CEPT University, Ahmedabad The change of mindset will solve most of the problems and everything from government action, cycle infrastructure, and traffic decongestion will follow.
I also recommend going to local markets, gyms, tuition and doing other routine tasks on bicycle. Further it would be nice if we can organize mass rides in our society to sensitize our friends that it is equally cool to ride a bicycle as it is to ride any good car. Once the culture comes in the society then it can be extended further!
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| Celebrations after first Critical Mass Ride in Delhi - Over 100 People Rode Together on Sunday Morning... |
So how to start?
Remove inhibitions, buy a good bike and safety accessories, call up your friends and tell about this, and the next day at least buy your groceries on bicycle. You will love the change you will bring to your health, traffic and pocket;-)
Cheers,
Tarun Jain
