BENGALURU: Despite the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) unveiling its Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) 2020 nearly four years ago, aimed at fostering sustainable and multi-modal mobility in Bengaluru, the city’s commitment to non-motorised transport remains disappointingly inadequate.
Cyclists, who champion sustainable transport, are bearing the brunt of this negligence, with their lives hanging in the balance. Between 2021 and 2023, Bengaluru witnessed the tragic loss of nearly 49 cyclists in road accidents, attributed largely to the absence of safe cycling infrastructure across the city. Most of these fatalities occurred on major roads, particularly in and around industrial zones, highlighting the urgent need for dedicated cycling lanes.
Despite the DULT’s initial designs for bicycle sharing infrastructure submitted over six years ago, tangible progress remains elusive due to the lack of functional cycling infrastructure. The CMP outlined ambitious plans for constructing 600 km of cycling tracks by 2035, with the first 50 km slated for completion by 2022. However, Bengaluru currently boasts a mere 2.5 km of disjointed cycle lanes, primarily confined to the central business district.
Recent efforts by DULT to draft detailed cycling network plans for all Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) zones, including cycle lanes on high-density corridors, offer a glimmer of hope. However, despite submitting these proposals to the BBMP, progress has been sluggish, with feedback awaited from the civic body.
The delay in integrating active mobility plans, including footpaths and cycling lanes, underscores the need for a centralised authority to oversee urban transport planning. While the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) was envisioned for this purpose, its establishment remains pending, despite the passing of the BMLTA Act over a year and a half ago.
The lack of a cohesive approach to urban transport planning poses significant challenges to Bengaluru’s vision of sustainable mobility. As the city grapples with burgeoning traffic congestion and alarming road safety concerns, urgent action is imperative to revitalise the stalled mobility plan and ensure the safety and well-being of all road users, particularly cyclists. Only through concerted efforts and effective governance can Bengaluru realise its aspirations for a greener and more livable urban environment.
