PMC calls for suggestions on draft bicycle plan - Hindustan Times
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PMC calls for suggestions on draft bicycle plan

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByAbhay Khairnar
Aug 29, 2017 02:17 PM IST

With the new draft plan, civic body aims to restore Pune’s identity as the ‘city of bicycles’

After spending crores of rupees to promote bicycles in the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has prepared yet another draft cycle plan and has invited suggestions to give back the city its old identity as the ‘city of bicycles’.

Man cycles on an existing bicycle track along the Pune - Satara road.(RAVINDRA JOSHI/ HT PHOTO)
Man cycles on an existing bicycle track along the Pune - Satara road.(RAVINDRA JOSHI/ HT PHOTO)

According to the civic body, citizens can submit their suggestions on the draft Pune Cycle Plan by September 30.

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The 100-page bicycle plan proposal, prepared by Centre for Environment Education (CEE) and ITrans - a Delhi-based transportation planning firm - and Prasanna Desai Architects, has been posted by PMC on its official website. The draft plan includes bicycle inclusive planning, the required infrastructure for around 470-km of existing cycle network, regulation and enforcement, promotion and public awareness and monitoring.

In 2008, the PMC, as part of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Rural Mission, tried to build 123-km cycle track by spending around 100 crore. However, activists blamed the PMC for its failure to promote the bicycles.

Central government had given funds to the PMC for preparing the cycle plan. Now, PMC is preparing the cycle plan as per instructions given by the centre. 

 Municipal officers said in the draft report that transportation is one of the main civic issues identified by Pune’s citizens. Over 500 motorised two-wheelers and cars are registered in Pune every day. The increase in motorised traffic is leading to air pollution, health impacts, accidents, congestion and more time wasted in traffic. Widening roads or building flyovers are not long-term solutions. 

The vision for future transportation planning as accepted in the Comprehensive Mobility Plan of Pune (CMP) is, “Moving people safely and economically by emphasising on public transport and non motorised transport.” Non motorised transport includes walk and cycle. 

Moving towards this vision, PMC is preparing a comprehensive Pune Cycle Plan which will have recommendations for the following components.  

Objectives of the Pune Cycle Plan 

1. To retain existing share of bicyclists 

2. To encourage potential users to use bicycles 

3. To make cycle the preferred travel mode for shorts trips 

4. To create a consensual vision and multi stakeholder buy in for cycling 

5. To make travel demand management strategies sensitive to cycling

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