SDMC peddles cycles as clean option

With an aim to cultivate in youth the culture of cycling and promote non-motorised transportation in the capital, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has planned to launch a ‘world-class’ bicycle sharing system — a Global Positioning System (GPS) will be installed on every cycle to track its movement.

According to the scheme, a network of cycle stands will be set up at various points in the areas under the South Delhi Municipal Corporation from where anybody can hire a bicycle at a nominal rate. The rented cycles can be parked at any of these stands to reduce the liability on the cyclist. 

"This will go a long way in making Delhi more eco-friendly, greener and healthier for its people, said Satish Upadhayay, chairman of the Standing Committee of SDMC.The civic body has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with an Ahmedabad based NGO, Centre for Green Mobility, for technical assistance and advisory support.Upadhayay said the NGO will check the feasibility of this project. 

“Then we will start it in South Zone on a pilot project basis and if we are successful in it, then it will be launched in all zones in the limits of South Corporation,” he added.

“Delhi has the highest pollution level in the country. Therefore, a world-class non-motorised transport alternative has to be introduced to preserve its environment.”The SDMC will also provide an insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh to the cyclist in case of any mishap.

Rent-a-cycle scheme has been launched in Delhi in the past as well. However, the civic agency officials say that their cycle sharing system is different. “Earlier, the cyclist had to return the cycle to the particular stand from where it was hired, whereas under this project the cycle can be returned to any of the stand,” said Upadhayay.

“It is an ideal time to initiate non-motorised transportation facilities, like cycle sharing network which has huge potential to become an alternative mode of travel in Delhi,” said Anuj Malhotra, executive director of the NGO.