Kolkata 08-12-21: In a letter addressed to all the general secretaries of political parties contesting the municipal election, cyclists from 10 cycling groups have bemoaned the current ban on cycles on 72 streets across Kolkata, in the run up to the 2021 Kolkata Municipal Elections.
The letter raises an urgent appeal to the contesting candidates to revoke the existing cycle ban once re-elected with a commitment to undertake necessary action in this matter. Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections are scheduled to take place on Dec.19, 2021.
The letter illustrates the disappointment of the Cyclist and raises concerns particularly for a significantly large section of people/ workforce who are dependent on cycles for their daily work trip. Worth mentioning that this section of the low-income group depends on the bicycle to maintain their families. Transport sector is currently responsible for almost half of Kolkata’s emissions. Vehicular pollution from motorized mode of transport is slowly suffocating our city. In reference to this the GoWB through its state action plan for climate change had earlier committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. Based on this, simpler climate solutions like prioritizing non motorized forms of mobility like bicycles should have been the priority of the state government.
Meanwhile, last year based on the NGTs intervention/order to the Chief Secretariat; a comprehensive bicycle plan was submitted to KMDA with emphasis on decreasing road accidents without affecting the speed of vehicular traffic. This master plan also included blueprints for cycle lanes. Despite such announcement and positive development from last year, the Kolkata Police did announce yet another fresh new ban on bicycles in Nov, 2021.
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