The “India Cycles4Change Challenge” is introduced as an initiative of the Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India to inspire and support Indian cities to quickly implement cycling-friendly initiatives in response to COVID-19. The Challenge aims to help cities connect with their citizens as well as experts to develop a unified vision and initiatives to promote cycling. In this challenge Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation has already participated.
To understand views of citizens on cycling the offline and online perception survey was rolled out. The offline survey was carried out by the NSSCDCL team members constituted under the Chairmanship of Mahesh Moroney, Dy. CEO along with the collaborators. Through the online survey 15,000 number of responses were collected from the citizens. The survey respond was analysed following the guidelines of the Ministry. Arati Choudhari and Kunal Gajbhiye from E- Governance Division were the data analyst.
Online Survey respondent profile
- Total 15344 people responded to the survey of cycle for change where 83% were Men and 17% were Women.
- Among total respondents 32% were from 14 years to 19 years, 16 % from 19 years to 35 years, 46% were from 35years to 50 years and 5% were from 50 and above.
- 97% male and 96% female out of survey number knowing how to cycle.
- For recreation and for fitness almost 37% citizens are cycling.
The offline survey responses suggested that more could be done to improve cycle facilities and safety on the roads and in neighbouring areas as lack of cycle segregation on roadways is extremely unsafe. Many non-cyclists expressed concerns about cycling safety and the number of accidents on the streets, and even said they would consider cycling to commute if they felt the road was safer. The greatest dissatisfaction was expressed by the cycling groups on cities cycling infrastructure.
The surveys also asked for suggestions for improving cycling facilities. Analysis of the extensive qualitative data submitted by respondents is summarised as below:
- Need dedicated path for cycling, also need to aware people about that. Most of the teenagers/ bike riders in City are indiscipline, so unsafe for riding a bicycle.
- It has to be a top to bottom strategy if employees are compulsory to ride a bicycle to work.
- Separate lane should be made to encourage cycling.
- Safe & secure parking facilities to be made in prominent places
- Follow international models where cycling has been co-existed as a mode of transportation
- A cycle track should be formed like Walkers street is formed so that people can do cycling without any traffic fear
- Limit the vehicles running on road
- Citizens want to see healthy and wealthy Nagpur always. So cycle should be light weight and may compulsory in a week to move on
- Helmet compulsory
- Make compulsory to everyone to ride a cycle. We will save fuel as well as environment.
- Dogs are big problems while cycling they chase you down and also parking of cycles is necessary.
- Dedicated lanes for cyclists. Safe parking space near markets.
- Encourage cycling as o mode of fitness
- Create an app-based bicycle ride sharing system
- Create the awareness about how cycles reduce the carbon footprint and should be incorporate in the daily life.
Outcome of survey: It is clear from the survey that the fear of speedy vehicles on road and limitations of parking and storage infrastructure are a cause of frustration for the people who use the bicycle for commute. Overall, the survey showed clearly that there is great interest and demand for dedicated cycle lane and cycling infrastructure in the city.
Cyclists had multiple reasons for cycling, but getting exercise and saving money were the most popular responses.
The survey aimed to help improve local cycling infrastructure and on-road facilities by collecting data on cycling routes and travel patterns stated Buveneswari S. CEO, NSSCDCL.
