Rising Accidental Deaths and Injuries
In metro cities of India, accidental deaths and injuries of pedestrians, cyclists, and street-hawkers are on the rise.
Despite dedicated service lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, motor vehicles often use these lanes, increasing the risk of accidents.
The issue of unsafe pathways for active mobility users continues to persist.
What is Active Mobility?
Active mobility refers to transportation modes that use human power instead of motorized vehicles, such as walking, cycling, and skateboarding.
These modes are primarily used for travel rather than recreational purposes.
Active mobility has gained attention due to traffic congestion, pollution, health concerns, and rising pedestrian deaths.
National policies like the National Transit Oriented Development (NTOD) policy and the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) promote active mobility.
The Paris Agreement encourages eco-friendly mobility to reduce carbon emissions.
Key Initiatives:
Bengaluru’s first Bicycle Mayor, Sathya Sankaran, has advocated for pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and helped draft the Karnataka Active Mobility Bill, 2022.
Other states like Delhi, Pune, Chennai, and Kochi are also investing in active mobility with measures like cycling lanes, pedestrian-friendly streets, and bike-sharing systems.
What is its Significance?
Health Benefits: Active mobility reduces the risk of chronic diseases and improves cardiovascular health and mental well-being.
Economic Benefits: Active mobility reduces household expenditure on fuel and transportation.
It also lowers healthcare costs due to improved public health.
Pedestrian-friendly infrastructure can boost local businesses by increasing foot traffic.
Environmental Benefits: Walking and cycling are sustainable modes of transport with low carbon emissions compared to motorized vehicles.
Vibrant and Climate-Conscious Cities: Active mobility enhances energy security and contributes to creating climate-conscious and vibrant urban environments.
What are the Barriers?
Many roads lack adequate infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, hindering active mobility.
Over 85% of roads do not meet minimum safety requirements for walking and cycling.
Low-cost, motorized transport options discourage people from adopting active mobility.
Harsh weather conditions and long distances discourage walking or cycling as a primary mode of transport.
In many regions, cars and bikes are seen as symbols of higher social status, leading to a preference for motorized transport.
High traffic congestion and weak enforcement of traffic rules make active mobility unsafe.
How Have Other Countries Fared?
The Netherlands has over 35,000 km of dedicated cycling lanes and is a global leader in promoting cycling as a mode of transport.
The European Union prioritizes walking and cycling as sustainable transport methods and encourages policies that promote active mobility.
Germany’s Berlin Mobility Act mandates wider sidewalks, dedicated cycling lanes, and reduced speed limits within city limits to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
The act ensures that pedestrians and cyclists are prioritized in urban planning.
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