METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING IN INDIAN CITIES – A CASE STUDY OF PATNA

Abstract

India is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set up by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. Out of the 17 global SDG’s, and 169 associated targets, a large number of targets are directly or indirectly related to the transport sector. The ways we choose to address our need for mobility can directly affect 5 of these targets to a large extent. These 5 targets are – o 3.6 – Road Safety o 7.3 – Energy Efficiency o 9.1 – Affordable and Equitable Access for all (Economic Inclusion) o 11.2 – Safety and Accessibility for vulnerable sections (Social Inclusion) o 12.c – Discouraging Fossil Fuel Consumption One mode of private transport which has the potential of catering to all 5 of these targets together is the bicycle. Some of the established benefits of bicycle include zero dependence on fossil fuels, zero emissions and pollution, health benefits from increased physical activity and affordability (TERI, 2018). However, a quantitative estimation of the benefits tends to put things into perspective and presents a more compelling argument in favour of the subject of study.