Climate change and global warming show a bleak image of tomorrow if steps are not taken today to reduce carbon emissions. One of the major contributors to carbon emissions and pollution, in general, is the use of vehicles.
On the other hand, the realisation of good health has never been more apparent than at present. Lack of exercise and stagnant lifestyle of current times has given rise to many lifestyle diseases among people. People with co-morbidities found it very difficult to recover from the current pandemic. It has already been established by the World Health Organisation that this was not the last of pandemics that humanity experienced.
The use of bicycles can hit both targets with a single stone. This makes World Bicycle Day 2021 very significant. On this day, let us know about three cities that incorporated cycling as a significant part of their transit system to facilitate mobility within the city.
Amsterdam
Any conversation of cycling cannot be undertaken without the mention of Amsterdam. The city known as the cycling capital of the world serves as a holy grail for cyclists. The city has special infrastructure and traffic rules in place to ensure safety and precedence to the cyclists over motor vehicles.
Even at the roundabouts, the cyclists have separate lanes, without having to worry about collisions with motor vehicles. The cycling lanes are designed in a way that makes them comfortable for cyclists – they are smooth, broad to enable side-by-side cycling and overtaking, and exclusive for cyclists.
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, one of the fastest-growing cities in India, has managed to replicate the European cycling model in its transit system with unique alterations to meet its local demands. The city of Ahmedabad is growing rapidly with more businesses setting up offices in the city, and more people migrating from across the country to work. The city is famous for its efficient infrastructure and management of the same. The BRTS system (Bus Rapid Transport System) which includes separate lanes for city buses, moving from station to station across the city is one such model. To further integrate this model into people’s lives and promoting the use of it, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has introduced cycle stations at every BRTS stop. This unique initiative eliminates the need for having personal vehicles among people as they can use public transport end to end.
The Ahmedabad weather is known to be hot and humid. This makes it difficult for people to cycle. In order to make it easier, many of the cycles available at the BRTS stops are equipped with electric batteries, which aids the person in paddling without having to strain a lot. After accomplishing the daily chores the person can leave the bike at the nearest bike station, which could be at a BRTS stop or other popular spots in the city.
