Devapriyo Das, Harpreet Kaur Bajaj
6 July 2023
Pedal power: Realising India’s potential for sustainable mobility
Urban transport infrastructure in India is built for almost anything with a motor attached. Bicycling offers a zero-carbon low-cost alternative. Here are four actions to help commuters make the switch.
"In India today, it can even be unsafe to walk on the roads, let alone cycle. The demand for cycling exists hidden in the background, but it will not become clear until you build bicycle infrastructure,"
The benefits of cycling for India
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According to a 2019 report by The Energy Resources Institute, a sustainability thinktank, about 60% of trip lengths in Indian cities, with mixed land-use patterns, are under 5 kilometres, and about 80% are under 10 kilometres. These are ideal distances for bicycling and could help India move to a zero fossil fuel mode of commuting
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If India widely adopted bicycling as a form of transport, for example, by replacing half of all motorised two- and- four- wheeler trips under 5 kilometres with bicycle trips, the country could save more than USD 25 billion per year, or 1.6% of GDP (at 2016 rates), the report adds.
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Making the switch would also help avoid about 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, provide health benefits owing to reduced air pollution and greater physical activity by commuters, and save on commuting time.
- Identify residential areas with large concentrations of service-sector workers (those with mid-to-low level incomes) and provide them access to bike share programmes and bicycle pathways.
- Provide legal safeguards for cyclists, such as enforcing penalties for disrespect, unsafe behaviour, or traffic violations against cyclists.
- Build bike lanes and related infrastructure such as streetlights, traffic lights, and intersections to make traffic friendly for bicycles. Provide shared bicycle schemes at inter-modal hubs to encourage last-mile connectivity by bicycle, rather than by car.
- Influence behaviour change through pro-cycling awareness campaigns, enforcing car-free zones at morning rush hour, and supporting those who bicycle to work by offering at-work changing facilities and organising bicycling competitions.
Did you know?
- : 9 in 10
At least 9 in 10 urban Indians believe cycling plays an important role in reducing carbon emissions.
- : 88%
of urban Indians believe cycling plays an important part in reducing traffic.
- : 8 in 10
urban Indians want new roads and infrastructure to emphasise bicycles over automobiles.
- : 55%
At least 55% of urban Indians polled believe cycling is extremely dangerous in their area.
- : 6 indicators
Most bicycle friendly city analyses are based on six indicators: the weather, bicycle usage, crime and safety, infrastructure, bike sharing opportunities, and awareness events.
Want to know more?
Harpreet Kaur Bajaj
Senior Lead Transport Economist, Smart Mobility
Not available