Bike trails in Bangalore. |Picture source: Special arrangement
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Sporadic reports of accidental deaths and injuries among pedestrians, cyclists, street riders and others in metropolitan cities in India are on the rise. While urban developments in various cities include dedicated service lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, cars also tend to refuel on them. As a result, the risk of these pathways is as high as the main roads for vehicle traffic. In such a severe situation, positive liquidity is the demand for the hour.
What is active mobility?
Active mobility refers to the mode of transportation using human power rather than maneuvering forms. Active modes of transportation include walking, cycling, skateboarding and other non-sports modes used for travel rather than recreational activities.
India’s active mobility has attracted attention due to traffic congestion, pollution, health problems and increased pedestrian deaths. This is accompanied by the increasing importance of sustainable transport in national policies such as the National Policy on Transportation Development (NTOD) policies and Smart City Mission (SCM), as well as international efforts such as the Paris Agreement, which emphasize the capacity to reduce carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly activities.
Bengaluru’s first bike mayor Sathya Sankaran has been a key advocate for the cycling and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure since 2018. His efforts contributed to the Karnataka Active Action Act 2022. In 2020, Karnataka, Karnataka hit the highest pedestrian death toll in 2020. Therefore, the bill aims to promote urban mobility by protecting the rights of pedestrians and cyclists. The inherent goal of the bill is to provide a legal structure to protect and promote positive mobility and ensure equal access to public spaces. Several other states are also focusing on active liquidity. Delhi is expanding bike paths and pedestrian-friendly streets under its Delhi EV policy. Pune has implemented a comprehensive bicycle program and has developed over 300 kilometers of cycling trails. Chennai is redesigning roads under SCM to improve pedestrian safety, while Kochi has introduced a public bike sharing (PBS) system to improve last-mile connectivity.
What is its significance?
As stated in the World Health Organization (WHO), its all forms of positive mobility have economic, social, environmental and health benefits. Economic benefits include reduced household spending on fuel and transportation and reduced health care costs due to enhanced public health. It can also enhance local businesses as pedestrian-friendly infrastructure attracts higher flows.
Due to its marginal carbon emissions, walking and cycling are sustainable modes of transportation. They improve energy security and greatly reduce India’s carbon emissions from road transport. Cities with well developed infrastructure for active transport reporting of cleaners air and traffic congestion reduced. In addition, positive modes of transportation are known to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve cardiovascular health, promote mental health and improve public health among citizens. This is a way of transportation that makes the city more vibrant and climate-conscious.
What are obstacles?
Positive liquidity is still heavily utilized as urban infrastructure actively discourages it. The lack of adequate pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure has hindered active mobility as the primary mode of transportation. As of 2021, more than 85% of roads do not meet the minimum safety requirements for walking and cycling. This is also accompanied by the availability of low-cost electric transport methods. In addition, extreme weather conditions and distances from long distances will prevent people from adopting active transportation.
Furthermore, social perception is a major obstacle. In many areas, cars and bicycles are associated with higher social status. India has rapidly growing private cars on the road. According to the Association of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, India sells more than 12,000 cars a day. The height of traffic congestion and weak enforcement of traffic regulations make walking and cycling unsafe.
How are other countries performing?
With over 35,000 km of dedicated cycling trails, the Netherlands is a global leader in promoting active mobility through cycling. The EU’s Ministry of Mobility and Transport has prioritized walking and cycling as a means of transport to achieve more sustainable mobility. This is accompanied by zero vision, which aims to alleviate the number of events between pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles. Germany’s Berlin Movement Act requires a wider sidewalk and dedicated bicycle lanes, reducing speed limits for motor vehicles within the city limits and prioritizing pedestrians/bikes in urban planning.
Dev Nath Pathak, associate dean of the School of Social Sciences, South Asia University. Ruth Anna A is a research scholar at Christian University.
publishing – April 9, 2025 08:30 AM IST
