[sustran] Pune - No cars, please: City to take up cause with bicycle rally

Eric Britton eric.britton at ecoplan.org
Tue Sep 9 17:28:43 JST 2008


 

 

No cars, please: City to take up cause with bicycle rally

Express News Service



Pune, September 8 In a bid to popularise non-motorised transport along with
encouraging it on the crowded city roads, various citizens' groups have
decided to celebrate the "World Car Free Day" on September 22 by organising
a bicycle rally. 

"The World Car Free day is celebrated in many cities through out the world
and we are starting it as a symbolic gesture in the city," said activist
Sujit Patwardhan. 

The culture of car dependency is increasing in the Indian cities and there
is a need to discourage it, he said adding, "The idea behind the campaign is
to raise awareness on the co-existence of non-motorised transport." 

Though it is not expected that there won't be cars on the streets on that
particular day, Patwardhan said that a discussion will begin on the need of
non-motorised transport in the city and the infrastructure required for it. 

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the city police have extended their
support to the initiative. "The promotion of non-motorised transport through
car-free day can well be extended later on a day per month." 

The bicycle rally will begin at 7.30 am from four different locations of
Ozone in Aundh, near GPO in Camp, Karve statue in Kothrud and Shaniwarwada.
All the four groups of cyclists will converge at Sambhaji Park on Jangli
Maharaj Road at 9.30 am. 

"There are plans to organise various other events to celebrate the day and
make the public aware of the rights for those who adopt non-motorised
transport," said activist Sanskriti Menon. Appeals are being made at various
levels in schools, colleges and offices for participation in the bicycle
rally, she said. 

The campaign for non-motorised transport has been picking up momentum with
the civic administration making provisions for infrastructure in road
development work under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
(JNNURM). The PMC is designing cycle tracks in accordance with international
standards and is getting expertise from the Netherlands. 

The construction of a 117-km cycle track is being done on the roads for Bus
Rapid Transit System (BRTS) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban
Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Municipal Commissioner Praveensinh Pardeshi has
been keen on promoting it by declaring every Tuesday 'cycle day' at the
civic headquarters. His initiative received good response from various other
government bodies in the city. 

The PMC, along with various social organisations, is also planning a "hire
and ride" cycle programme for Pune on the lines of what's already there in
Paris. 

 



More information about the Sustran-discuss mailing list