Bicycle is a simple mode of transport. It is and affordable and travel friendly companion. It produces zero pollution or carbon emission. It promotes physical fitness.
There are a number of cities which have ample facilities such as separate bicycle lanes. Governments encourage cycle ride and offer good facilities.
Copenhagen, capital city of Denmark, is said to have 62 percent of its inhabitants going to work or to school on bike.
Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam is known as bike lover’s paradise. Some say, it appears that there are more bicycles than people. Most commuters ride their bikes to and from work or school. No wonder, Amsterdam bikers have a good time riding around the whole world. It will be no wonder if some of them land on the Himalayas riding high.
Antwerp, France, has a good reputation as a bicycle –friendly city.
Strasbourg, France’s premier bicycle city is known for its high ranking status for its centralized cycling network.
Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux continues to innovate and maintain the bicycle as a high priority for transportation planning in the city. It has more than 700 miles of bicycle paths.
Paris, France
Paris has good network of bicycle tracks with over 800 miles of bicycle infrastructure and 12 miles of cycle highways
Oslo, Norway
Norway’s capital Oslo, though hilly and often snowy, is known for well-laid bicycle paths.
Denmark
In Denmark 90 percent of population own a bike. There are five times as many bikes as cars on the street.
Munich, Germany
Biking in Munich is often the fastest and most flexible way to get around. There are laid out lanes, bike-traffic signals and over 700 miles of separate bike routes.
Montreal, the beautiful French-Canadian city, is proud of its more than 435 miles of bike paths. It offers ample facilities bike rentals.
Perth, Australia
Perth, western Australia’s capital, has the reputation of having hundreds of miles of paths, bike lanes, and bicycle-friendly streets.
Minneapolis, USA
Minneapolis is known of its biking community’s efforts to make the streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians. The city has miles and miles of bike lanes, protected bikeways, and dedicated bike paths.
Colombia
Bogota in Colombia has a system of bicycle paths and separated lanes, called ciclorrutas. The lanes stretch for hundreds of miles through the city, connecting commercial centres and residential areas.
Switzerland
The Swiss are said to have a love affair with cycling. From Switzerland bike riders can reach up to any European city.
Where is India in all this? Let our bureaucrats and elected leaders answer how many bicycle routes and pedestrian lanes are there? It is unfortunate that, in most places, pedestrian lanes are a rare affair. Pedestrians, cycle riders, push carts, animals, motorbikes, buses, cars, bulldozers and tractors rub shoulders by using narrow lanes. No wonder road accidents are ever on the increase. Road taxes are collected but road facilities are not provided.
There should be separate lanes for foot passengers, cycles, cars, buses and heavy vehicles. We can afford to provide these facilities if we have the will power. There is no dearth of resources. Taxes are paid and even traffic police harass innocent passengers or drivers to fix fines. Where do all these resources go? Even on heavy streets, no overhead bridges at railway crossings are provided.
The public should become aware and demand such facilities. Let people approach their MLAs, MPs, and city council representatives and demand action plan. Let students write letters to concerned authorities. A dumb public is a blessing for cunning politicians to amass more wealth for their families, farm houses and estates.
