Page 40 - TrafficInfraTech Magazine - July Digital Edition

SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY

Walking Tall, Pedaling Strong:

India’s Comeback

of Active Mobility

Transitioning to walking and cycling for shorter journeys holds
incredible potential for our planet. It keeps the air cleaner,
enables inclusive mobility, and dials back those emissions that

are warming the atmosphere. Additionally, poorly designed
pedestrian and cycling infrastructure has given rise to unsafe
urban environments for people. The stark reality of 26,000
pedestrian fatalities in India during 2019 underscores the

urgency. Recognising the need for proactive measures, India
embarked on a journey to revive safe walking and cycling.
Kashmira Dubash, Senior Program Manager - Development,
Communications, and Partnerships, ITDP India gives a report

ver 100 Indian
cities collaborated
to materialise
the vision of
Cycles4Change and
OStreets4People. It
all started with a vision back in
2020 when India decided to ride
the wave of interest in walking Test-Learn-Scale approach
and cycling sparked by the Covid to urban streets. Second, these Test-Learn-Scale
lockdowns. During this period, initiatives established an open approach
people rekindled an appreciation platform that fostered cross-city
for the simplicity and advantages The goal was to rekindle a fond
of these active modes of mobility. learning and knowledge exchange. connection between people and
If there was ever a moment to take Third, they facilitated vibrant these modes. Cities conducted a
action, it was right now. partnerships, uniting numerous nationwide survey to engage with
experts and community groups in
The Government of India’s a collaborative effort to achieve a its citizens and leaders to uncover
Ministry of Housing and Urban shared goal. the barriers hindering walking
Affairs, under the Smart Cities and cycling. An impressive 60,000
Mission, introduced Cycles4Change As a knowledge partner, people responded. Then, designated
and Streets4People Challenge. They ITDP India provided technical sites were identified—whether
adopted a novel approach involving and communication expertise, specific streets, public areas, or
100 cities to test, learn, and scale up facilitated capacity-building entire neighbourhoods—marked for
walking and cycling interventions, workshops, and set up peer- revitalisation. Cities initiated design
ushering in transformative changes learning platforms. competitions, extending invitations

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