Cycling Strategy for Islamabad

Preamble

Riding a bicycle has immense benefits which can range from personal, to economic, social, environmental, and more. The Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies is an independent research institute that aims to generate, propagate, and regulate public policies towards achieving sustainable development in Pakistan. This blog presents the major highlights and lessons from the seminar held on the topic ‘Cycling strategy for Islamabad.’ The blog discusses why a cycling strategy is needed alongside the challenges which are faced in implementing such a strategy. Lastly, the blog also mentions a feasible cycling strategy for Islamabad.

Research Question

1. Why is cycling strategy needed?

2. What are the challenges facing cycling strategy in Pakistan?

3. What can be the cycling strategy for Islamabad?

Introduction

Pakistan is considered among the most urbanised countries in South Asia. This makes the challenge of urbanisation an important consideration in the future sustainable development planning of Pakistan. Cycling remained an important part of Pakistani culture, but by the introduction of motorcycles and cars, the practice lost its popularity and a certain social stigma developed against its use as a mode of transport. Today, cities like Islamabad are facing challenges in transport and urban planning due to unregulated use of cars and motorcycles. As the world moves towards the adoption of sustainable modes of transport, bicycles are increasingly gaining relevance due to their ability to be an agile mode of transport along with having substantial health, environmental and social benefits. Therefore, despite having multifaceted challenges of budget allocation, cultural setbacks, and urban planning, a strategy for implementing cycling infrastructure to promote cycling as a mode of transport is needed.

Why a Cycling Strategy is Needed for Islamabad? 

The need for a cycling strategy can be understood by the increasing cost of transport in urban centres. Migrant workers coming in search of employment find it difficult to afford the lifestyle the city has to offer. They are left at the behest of the inefficient public transport system which is also not fully functional in all areas of the city and requires much hassle for day-to-day travel. There is a need to create an affordable transport option amid rapid urbanisation. Secondly, the world is increasingly moving towards discouraging the use of private motor vehicles as they accommodate a lesser number of individuals per vehicle than public transport options. The use of non-motorised vehicles is also gaining much popularity all around the globe as they are environmentally friendly and healthy for individuals. Lastly, cycling is a beneficial activity, not only for the individuals but also at the community level and can significantly reduce traffic flow for short trips in denser areas.

Challenges Facing Implementation of Cycling Strategy in Islamabad

The capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, is increasingly facing challenges related to rapid urbanisation. The need to create an affordable and equitable transport option is the need of the hour. In the Netherlands, 36 percent of the population’s most frequent mode of transport is a bicycle, regardless of the rainy weather. Dubai has a 100km urban cycling track, while its master plan proposes an 850km stretch to be completed in a few years. Pakistan’s transport budget is primarily spent on improving the road infrastructure, which includes authorising signal-free corridors, flyovers, and underpasses that essentially facilitate cars and motorbikes. There is no focus on other modes of transport, such as walking, cycling, para-transit, buses, and urban railways.  Despite the growing trend of discouraging the use of cars in cities and encouraging pedestrianisation, urban planners in Pakistan are doing everything possible to make the cities more car-friendly. The utilitarian role of a bicycle is regarded as the poor man’s transport. Motor cars have infiltrated the lives of the upper and middle-class groups due to easy availability of auto finance options and lack of decent public transport options. All these aspects stress the need for cycling infrastructure and introducing cycling as a mode of transport.

Proposed Cycling Strategy for Islamabad

The world is experiencing a change in trends related to transport models. The highest priority is given to pedestrians, then to bicycles, then public transport, and finally, cars. The reverse is true in the case of Pakistan, where infrastructure costs clearly indicate what is prioritised. Firstly, a behavioural change is needed by promoting the use of cycles for going to work and schools. Walking and cycling group activities are needed on a regular basis to encourage the practice. There should also be hire and rent schemes for cycles which will make sure that the lowest income group citizens can easily travel. Targeted campaigns for women and children are also needed to inculcate the practice on a wider level. Secondly, with regards to infrastructure, there is a need to implement safe junctions and crossings for cyclists, dedicate cycle tracks in key areas and city centres, provide parking for bicycles, and integrate cycling with other modes of public transport such as metros. Lastly, on a policy level, steps can be taken to reduce the percentage of motorised trips and increase non-motorised transport. Teams from urban studies, engineering, and social sciences are required to work with the government to chalk out strategies for advocacy and implementation of cycling infrastructure.

Conclusion

Islamabad is facing the effects of rapid urbanisation. With transport becoming an issue for the public due to high costs of vehicles and increased traffic congestion in almost all areas of the city, cycling is gaining popularity among policymakers in order to address the challenges associated with mobility and sustainability of the environment. This requires efforts to increase awareness and utilise different strategies for increasing the use of bicycles in daily transport. A cycling strategy will not only help reduce the transport costs for migrant residents and lower-class individuals, it will also help in decreasing the use of motorised vehicles and help the community on a social and individual level.

Key Takeaways

1. Pakistan is considered among the most urbanised countries in South Asia. This makes the challenge of urbanisation an important consideration in the future sustainable development planning of Pakistan.

2. The world is increasingly moving towards discouraging the use of private motor vehicles as they accommodate a lesser number of individuals per vehicle than public transport options.

3. Cycling is a beneficial activity, not only for the individuals but also at the community level and can significantly reduce traffic flow for short trips in denser areas.

4. Pakistan’s transport budget is primarily spent on improving the road infrastructure, which includes authorising signal-free corridors, flyovers, and underpasses that essentially facilitate cars and motorbikes.

5. Motor cars have infiltrated the lives of the upper and middle-class groups due to easy availability of auto finance options and lack of decent public transport options.

6. A behavioural change is needed by promoting the use of cycles for going to work and schools.

7. There is a need to implement safe junctions and crossings for cyclists, dedicate cycle tracks in key areas and city centres, provide parking for bicycles, and integrate cycling with other modes of public transport such as metros.

8. Teams from urban studies, engineering, and social sciences are required to work with the government to chalk out strategies for advocacy and implementation of cycling infrastructure.

Bibliography

Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies. (2021). Water Scarcity in Pakistan & Our Policy Measures. Islamabad: IIPS. Available at https://web.facebook.com/watch/?v=2759372234303939