| .More & Related |
Cool KLIMA @ Loreto
With more school nature clubs having fests, environment is cool for young adults, too. GO!
Green fest with a difference
An over the top eco fest on a roof top... EarthSmiles Festival on the Roof!GO!
The Park English goes green
Green Roots 2012 kicks off at The Park English School, Kolkata GO!
Pollution free fun
Interview with Ride2Breathe founder, Gautam Shroff. GO!
|
|
On the right track!
The Central Government of India gives priority to the construction of cycle tracks and pedestrian paths in all cities, under the National urban Transport Policy, to enhance safety and thereby enhance use of non-motorised modes.
Cities are also encouraged to explore the possibility of a public bicycle program, where people can rent a bicycle for use in specially designated areas.
Delhi has been at the forefront, with The Delhi Master Plan recommends cycle tracks for all roads. Mumbai inaugurated its first 12 kilometers cycling track to encourage more city dwellers to use bicycles to commute to work, and ease congestion on the roads. Even Chandigarh constructed 160 kilometers of wide cycle paths between 2001 and 2003.
Kolkata? Construction problem solved.
|
|
|
Something to say on this story? Tell us here!
|
An inconsiderate ban on cycling in Kolkata provokes civil society to respond.
Wheels of a revolution
Meera Bhowmik
SEPTEMBER 2013
|
|
|
| Re-Cycle: While the world is switching to greener modes of transport - which majorly is the humble bicycle - Kolkata's cops have virtually banned the bike. With just two weak excuses by a top officer, Kolkata wipes out a biking culture and welcomes even more corruption and pollution. Maybe SUVs are going to be banned next. Yeah, right. |
Inspired by Gandhiji’s nonviolent movement, Kolkatans (Calcuttans) gathered for a peaceful protest to revoke the ban on cycles and non-motor transport - Cycle Satyagraha. An initiative by SwitchON and Ride2Breathe, the movement is supported by NGOs People United for Better Living In Calcutta (PUBLIC), South Asian Forum for Environment, WWF, Greenpeace and Centre for Environment and Development.
Cycle Satyagraha was initiated September 8, with a cycle march from Victoria House to the Press Club. The movement is a response to the near blanket ban on cycles and Non Motor Transport (NMT) by the Kolkata Police under the West Bengal Traffic Regulation Act 1965 - 174 thoroughfares, along with the existing 38 “no cycling zones.”
© 2013 EarthSmiles.net . All rights reserved.
Made from 100% recycled pixels.
Ride2Breathe: Gautam Shroff addresses the media.
Below: Other images from the Satyagraha.
Protesters walked placards with messages like “Lets Re-Cycle Kolkata”, “This Runs on Fat and Saves Money”, “Rs.0/litre” which highlighted environmental, socio-economic, health and livelihood aspects of cycles and the impact of ban in Kolkata, which is high on India’s list for number of trips made by cycle.
Ekta Kothari of SwitchON said, “Although cops have said that the ban is for traffic regulation, cycling is an indispensible mode of transportation for a huge number of people in Kolkata.”
The working class is most affected. “We cycle in fear of being fined with a huge amount which is not possible for us to bear,” said Prasanta Purokaith, a newspaper vendor. Krishnalal Ganguly, who delivers door-to-door milk, expressed similar views as Purokaith and stuck fine slips on his protest placard. (He is lucky to have slips; many cyclists mention the “fine” is paid without a receipt.) Cycles for them are the only mode of transport to sustain their livelihood.
Co-founder of Ride2Breathe, Gautam Shroff questioned the logic of the ban, saying “If cyclists are a nuisance so are pedestrians, motorcycles and anybody on the road. A ban can never be a solution. Rather cycles should be treated with the same discipline as other motor vehicles and applying traffic rules and regulations for them”. Another Ride2Breathe member Neil Law suggested maybe a more considerate time zone can be set for cyclists instead of the blanket ban.
“A more holistic approach is what we are looking at instead of a ban. An open letter will be sent to our honorable Chief Minister to revoke the ban,” answered co-organiser Vinay Jaju on being asked the future steps of Cycle Satyagraha.
This first event went off well; with robust attendance from cycle enthusiasts as well as those for whom cycling is a daily necessity. Despite the police saying “they don’t want to see cycles at the march,” the bikers were allowed to wheel their cycles in the march to the Press Club.
A ban of such nature is socially non-inclusive, inequitable and environmentally hazardous for our beautiful City of Joy, felt the participants of the Satyagraha. Hundreds will be forced to convert to motorised transport and push to the brink of over stretched infrastructure of the City. A Satyagraha participant says she asked students of a premier city school if any rode a bicycle. The answer was negative. “Who will buy their children a cycle, if it can’t even be ridden?” she asks. This will only push them to motorbikes earlier, which pollute more and are far more dangerous.
|
