Our cities must start this virtuous cycle

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

cycling in Navi Mumbai. The tragedy underscores a prime reason why those willing to shift to cycling in our cities do not. Saini chose to cycle even though he could have used a car because opting to pedal is a healthy, environment-friendly choice for a growing number of affluent Indians.

Safety is critical to ensure such people opt to trade in their cars for bicycles for regular use.
Promoting the use of helmets and lights while cycling in our cities is important. But ensuring safe bicycle use requires much more, including improved traffic and roads management.

This must be a priority for urban authorities for whom cycling still remains overwhelmingly an economic necessity and not a matter of choice. Making roads safe for bicyclists, the most vulnerable road-users, will mean safer roads for all. Investing in cycle-only lanes and a proactive push for motorised vehicle-users to learn and maintain protocols will improve the safety quotient of our roads.

Cycling ranks high up in sustainable and healthy mobility options.

Mission LiFE, GoI's flagship sustainability intervention, even lists bicycling as part of planet-friendly lifestyles. Professionals commuting on cycles is not just a 'first world' trend. Neither should cyclists be seen as being confined to blue-collar workers and 'dudhwalas'.

India has among the highest numbers of road accidents globally. This requires reimagining and redesigning roads with dedicated tracks for cyclists, better use of traffic lights, ensuring non-cyclists, particularly of motorised 2-wheelers, using bicycle tracks are penalised. Not reducing risk will mean that those who want to opt for cycles can't.