The India report was provided by Pooja Tanna (CCA core team member) and other colleagues

The Nepal report was provided by Rubin Singh Maharjan (Nepal Cycle Society)

The Bangladesh report was provided by Rifat Pasha (Work for Better Bangladesh)

Part I - India

CycleOn and Parisar, our allies based in Pune, India, organized a diverse range of activities to engage commute-to-work cyclists, livelihood cyclists, and recreational cyclists.

Night Bicycle Ride

The Night Bicycle Ride was a ticketed event led by a team of experienced city cyclists and a city tour guide expert. With 30 enthusiastic recreational cyclists participating, the ride took them through Pune’s vibrant streets on a 15 km journey. Covering 10 key spots, this ride aimed to immerse participants in the unique sensory experiences the city has to offer at night. Each stop provided a new perspective on how the different senses of the human body perceive the urban environment, making it a memorable and enriching experience for all.

Cycle Track Challenge

This is about how Pune evolved from a cyclist's paradise to traffic chaos.

Once celebrated for its moderate climate and being a cyclist’s paradise, Pune has witnessed a significant transformation over the years. The rise in private motor vehicle ownership has drastically altered the city’s landscape. Currently, around 4.3 million vehicles navigate Pune's roads, with an additional 300,000 to 350,000 vehicles joining the tally annually.

This surge in motorized traffic has made the city’s roads increasingly hazardous for cyclists. The growing stress and danger of potential collisions with motor vehicles have discouraged many from cycling, even those who would otherwise prefer this eco-friendly mode of transport.

The situation reached a tragic peak this year when, just two days before World Bicycle Day, a cyclist lost his life on his birthday. Another cyclist was killed the day after World Bicycle Day. These incidents highlight the urgent need for improved cycling infrastructure and safety measures.

In response, a recent activity aimed to encourage cyclists to take the cycle track challenge. The objective was to experience the obstacles faced by cyclists, share their experiences, and develop a deeper sensitivity towards the issues surrounding cycling in Pune. This challenge was taken up by a handful of individuals committed to promoting cycling and advocating for safer, more inclusive cycling infrastructure.

Through such efforts, there is hope that Pune can once again become a haven for cyclists, fostering a healthier, more sustainable mode of transportation for its residents.

Cycle-2-Work Initiative:

Embracing Sustainable Commutes in Pune

Pune, known as an IT hub alongside a few other cities in India, has witnessed a growing pattern among IT employees. Many choose to live within a 5-10 km radius of their workplaces to minimize daily commute time. Recognizing the importance of this trend, the Cycle-2-Work initiative was designed to support and encourage cycling commuters.

In celebration of World Bicycle Day, around 20 enthusiastic cyclists participated in the Cycle-2-Work activity. Each participant used the Strava mobile app to track their ride. They uploaded photos tagged with "World Bicycle Day ride" and shared them on their Strava Dashboard, creating a virtual community of cycling commuters.

This initiative not only promoted a healthy and eco-friendly mode of transport but also fostered a sense of camaraderie among participants. By showcasing their commitment to cycling, these individuals are setting an example for others in the IT sector and beyond, highlighting the benefits of cycling for personal health, reduced traffic congestion, and a cleaner environment.

The Cycle-2-Work initiative aims to continue growing, encouraging more people to embrace cycling as a viable and sustainable commute option in Pune and other cities across India.

Pedal to CycleOn: Celebrating World Bicycle Day in Pune

World Bicycle Day concluded with a grand event organized by CycleOn, a collaborative effort of the Center for Environment Education, Parisar, and Save Pune Traffic Movement. CycleOn was formed when these organizations, all dedicated to sustainable transport, realized the need for a focused effort to revive the cycling culture in Pune. This cycling community promotes cycling in the city through various public engagement activities.

To honor everyday cyclists who ride to work, ten volunteers affixed reflective stickers on their bicycles to enhance visibility during early mornings and late evenings. In one month, around 450 bicycles were reached. The joy and gratitude on the cyclists' faces were palpable as they received this token of recognition. CycleOn aims to distribute a total of 1,000 stickers in the coming months, highlighting the often-overlooked presence of cyclists in the city.

On average, one can spot at least one livelihood cyclist every 10 minutes on any stretch of Pune’s roads. To celebrate the bicycle, a sustainable mode of transportation for decades, a public event was held on Jungli Maharaj Road, a model sidewalk and cycle track. Ten bicycles were placed on stands, fitted with LED lights and dynamo systems, allowing citizens to participate in a relay to keep the lights on for an hour per bicycle. This setup was created with the help of a mechanical engineering student.

Alongside the pedaling relay, a group of 30 Djembe players performed, encouraging the crowd to join in either the pedal relay or the drum jam. The event received extensive coverage in local newspapers, both online and in print. Participants were thrilled to pedal, with some expressing their joy at getting on a bicycle after over three decades. It was a nostalgic moment for many, bringing back childhood memories and reinforcing the importance of sustainable transportation.

The success of this event underscores the commitment of CycleOn to promote cycling in Pune, making it safer, more visible, and more enjoyable for everyone.

Reporting on this article comes from the CycleOn initiative. The following are all members of the initiative:

• Pooja Tanna, Campaign Manager, CycleOn

• Parisar (www.parisar.org)

• Center for Environment Education (https://www.ceeindia.org)

• Save Pune Traffic Movement (https://savepunetraffic.org/)

  
  

Part II - NEPAL

World Bicycle Day Celebrations in Nepal

Since 2018, World Bicycle Day celebrations in Nepal have played a crucial role in addressing bicycle-related challenges and advocating for government investment in bicycle infrastructure. These celebrations have raised social awareness and attracted youth to daily bicycle commutes. Over the years, the celebration of World Bicycle Day has evolved into a cultural tradition.

Nepal Cycle Society (NCS), a non-profit organization established in 2018, has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable transportation. Our major initiatives include cycle lane construction, mobility research, the Cycle Act, bicycle sharing systems, pedestrianization, tactical urbanism, cycle-friendly area development, and various bicycle campaigns. Among these, the annual celebration of World Bicycle Day has been a highlight of our efforts.

In the initial years, our celebrations primarily consisted of large gatherings of cyclists and conducting cycle rallies. However, as time has progressed, our approach to celebrating World Bicycle Day has evolved. We now prioritize youth involvement and connect cycling with our cultural heritage to attract more people to use bicycles.

In 2023, we blended these aspects by organizing a unique event called "Cycle Fashion." Youth from various Rotaract clubs and Nepal Scout participated by wearing their cultural attire and cycling from Patan, Lalitpur to Kathmandu Durbar Square. This event was a remarkable success, with over 150 youth participants sharing their bicycle stories.

The "Cycle Fashion" event not only highlighted the significance of cycling but also showcased the cultural richness of Nepal. It demonstrated how bicycles can be a part of our cultural identity and daily lives. The enthusiastic participation and positive response from the community have encouraged us to continue innovating and expanding our World Bicycle Day celebrations in the future.

Promoting Everyday Commutes

Beyond these celebrations, our major concern lies in promoting everyday commutes by collecting and sharing "Cycle to Work" stories. Encouraging a behavioral shift from motorized to non-motorized mobility is central to our mission. By showcasing these personal stories and their advantages, we aim to inspire more people to adopt cycling for their daily commutes.

To date, we have collected 15 "Cycle to Work" stories, which we promote weekly on our social media platforms. This initiative is a small step towards achieving a broader mobility behavioral change, but we believe it will have a significant long-term impact by encouraging more people to cycle.

Initiatives like "Cycle to School" and "Cycle to Work" are pivotal in transforming the mobility culture. Behavioral change takes time, which is why continuous effort is necessary. By starting with short journeys of less than 7 kilometers and gradually expanding the distance, cycling can become a habitual and preferred mode of transport.

Initially, cycling might seem challenging, but over time, it will become an easy and natural choice for commuting to any place at any time. Through persistent efforts and community engagement, we can create a more sustainable and cycle-friendly environment in Nepal.

7th World Bicycle Day Theme "Cycle to Work"

St.Xavier's Jawalakhel, Celebrating World Bicycle Day by "Cycle to School"

Cycle to Work Stories

Name: Suman Thapa

Work Place: Laxmi Sunrise Bank Hattisar, Kathmandu, Nepal

Working in a bank, I used to go to office in my car. It takes about 30 minutes by car to reach the office from home. I always leave home at 8:55, but one day I was able to leave at 9:15 due to work. I didn't believe myself when I came to the office at 9:25 that day after taking a bicycle to see if it would be a bit early on the bicycle. A journey that takes 30 minutes by car takes 10 minutes by bicycle. In this way, about 40 minutes will be saved by commuting daily. Since that day, I usually come to the office by bicycle on days when I don't have to go anywhere after meeting or office. It has also increased my body's speed and has started saving about 5000 in monthly petrol expenses. It is nice to be able to try to be environment friendly and to help reduce the traffic on the roads to some extent. I run 10 to 15 km every day in the morning and 15 to 20 km daily after coming to the office. By running like this, the weight has also decreased by 5 kg.

Name: Gaurav Panthi

Work Place: JICA Nepal Office-JICA

I used to enjoy riding a bicycle when I was a child, but when I grew up, I stopped riding a bicycle. Master’s degree evening classes and the effects of the blockade bought a bicycle. After finding it easy and fun to ride, I have been riding the bike that I bought for 1-2 years at the time of purchase and am still riding it after eight years. As the importance and benefits of the bicycle are understood, the interest towards it has increased. For more than three years, I have been using a bicycle regularly to go to and from the office. The distance from Mandikhatar to Lajimpat can be reached by bicycle in 15-20 minutes and it seems that bicycle is the best means of transportation. Along with physical exercise, the joy of riding a bicycle seems to add energy to the body.

Name: Dr Paban Kumar Sharma

Age: 63

Work Place: Patan Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal

I am a professor and physician.

I started riding a bicycle when I was a child. But it has been five or six years since he went to the workplace regularly. I used to drive about 5000 km a year when I used to go by car. Now when I have to go somewhere alone in Kathmandu and go to work, I go by bicycle as much as possible. Thus, I have been driving 5500 kms in a year.

1. I have saved 1.4 metric tons of carbon in a year and at the same time have not thrown away nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and other particulate matter.

2. I have been reducing noise pollution a lot.

3. The road will not be blocked because of me. Parking will not be a problem because of me at work.

4. When I first drove, I had to fill up the car tank at least once a month, but now it's only twice a year at most.

5. In addition to this, I am also experiencing health. I don't have to do separate exercises.

6. I now cycle 20-30 km daily to extend my commute to work.

Let's make cycling our daily routine and keep society and nature healthy.

Cycle to School Presentation for Classes 5, 6 and 7 (Photo Memory)

Gyan Sanskar International School, Samakhusi Chowk, Kathmandu, Nepal

The Nepal coverage was kindly provided by:

Rubin Singh Maharjan

Joint-Secretary / Researcher

nepalcyclesociety@gmail.com

https://nepalcyclesociety.org.np/

www.facebook.com/nepalcyclesociety

https://www.instagram.com/nepalcyclesociety/

“Promoting cycling healthy & sustainable mode of transport”

Part III - Bangladesh

The bicycle has a lot of positive characteristics. Nevertheless, this economical and environmentally-friendly mode of transport is very much neglected in Bangladesh. The government has imposed a heavy tax on bicycles and their related spare parts. There is no parking, no bicycle lane, and no investment for bicycle riders. To address this issue, the Institute of Wellbeing (IWB) and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) joined forces for a good cause.

On the third of June 2024 we hosted a bicycle rally with the slogan "Cycling for a Cooler City." IWB and WBB as well as several schools, cyclist groups, and local political leaders took part in the rally. Over 100 cyclists took part. We carried various slogans that expressed the demand of cycling for cooler cities. The rally lasted half an hour and traveled about four kilometers.

Apart from the rally, a demonstration was organized where people expressed their solidarity for "cycling for a cooler city" and a reduced tax on bicycles. Speakers said that in the last two years Bangladeshi people have experienced unprecedented heat during the summer. It is happening because of carbon emissions, and personal cars are one of the culprits of carbon emissions.

The political leader of the Rayer Bazar area was the chief guest. He said in his speech says that the bicycle is a very cost-effective mode of transport and urged parents to give their children a bicycle, as riding a bicycle has a positive impact on physical development. He also promised that he would raise related issues at the Dhaka city mayor's office.

The report from Bangladesh comes from Rifat Pasha (WBB)