City gears up to participate in cycle for change competition

| | Ranchi
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City gears up to participate in cycle for change competition

Saturday, 08 August 2020 | PNS | Ranchi

The State capital is all geared up to participate in the competition ‘India Cycles4Change Challenge’ organised by the Smart City Mission under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The registration process for the same has been completed by Ranchi Smart City Corporation Limited (RSCCL).

Through this competition the Central government plans to encourage people to take up cycling as a mode of transport. The experts are also of the opinion that post Covid- 19, it will also prompt citizens to take up cycling as a last mile connectivity option at cheaper rates for short distances and also promote an environment friendly pollution free transport facility.

The government has also taken this initiative to support cities and make them bicycle friendly. The purpose is to help cities engage with its citizens and at the same time also develop an integrated vision and initiative to promote cycling. Institute of Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) is the knowledge partner of the Smart City Mission and is supporting the challenge.

After completing the registration process RSCCL has intensified its preparations for the competition. The corporation will also be taking suggestions from the residents of the State capital through various modes of communication as to what steps can be taken to promote cycling in the City. Opinions from members of the civil society, cycling clubs, agencies working in the field of transport will also be taken on how to provide a safe environment to the cyclists. To participate in the survey, Ranchiites can visit the link https://forms.gle/4moJP1JV3Sr3UduD8

“As per the ITDP survey, this initiative can prove to be a great move in breaking the chain of coronavirus. It will also be a good mode of transportation within the City. The Central government aims to promote cycling for commuting and RSCCL is also working towards it,” said RSCCL Public Relations Officer Amit Kumar.

In Ranchi, a bicycle sharing project is already being run by RSCCL to encourage cycling and has received tremendous response from the residents.

India Cycles4Change Challenge will be conducted in two phases. The competition is being conducted across cities with a population of more than five lakh, state capitals and all smart cities. The challenge for smart cities will be pan city based and will not be limited to the ABD (area based development) sector alone.

A recent survey by ITDP India states that cycling is likely to increase by 50- 65% post lockdown and it can also be permanent option for those using personal vehicles for commuting. It will also provide equal access to jobs, education, recreation and other activities for all sections of the society. By making roads safer for cyclists, cities can easily promote this healthy means of transportation. The cities which initiate steps to bicycles as a mode of transport will be honoured. Suggestions will be taken from the citizens on how to promote cycling in the city and also on ways to make it safer. The results will be declared after the government assesses the impact of the new steps taken for bicycle operations in the city which will also include infrastructure development to provide a safe environment to the cyclists.        

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