The Emerging Relevance of Cycling: Global Trends

Preamble

Many countries around the world have increased the use of bicycles for sustainable transport in urban cities. Most of these countries have gone beyond implementing a cycling infrastructure and incorporated cycling in everyday culture through education and awareness. Pakistan is the most severely impacted country from climate change and increased pollution in urban centres. This blog presents global cycling trends and what Pakistan can learn from international models for sustainable development.  

Research Questions 

1. What is the emerging relevance of cycling?
2. How have different countries incorporated cycling in their daily transport models?
3. What lessons can Pakistan learn from their implementation strategies? 

Introduction

Bikes were included as the top ten select technologies for increasing sustainable mobility by global consulting giant Deloitte 2020 edition which publishes its predictions after 19 years (Deloitte, 2020). In addition to this, the worldwide cycling index of 2019 shows an overall increase of six percent in cycling across 39 countries (Eco Counter, 2019). More and more countries are adopting the cycling model for sustainable mobility and improvement of their environment. There is an increased connection between physical activity and citizen well-being. Cities that prioritise urban cycling are also prioritising urban health, transport, and environmental impact. There are already more than two billion bikes in use worldwide, and by 2050, that number could be as high as five billion (World Economic Forum, 2015). Therefore, Pakistan can learn from these countries and implement the cycling model for achieving sustainable mobility in its urban cities. As Pakistan is also among the most impacted countries by global warming, cycling will also help reduce pollution and non-communicable disease. 

Emerging Relevance of Cycling

According to the World Economic Forum, over 50 percent of the world’s population knows how to ride a bike. In China, 37.2 percent of the population uses bicycles, whereas in Belgium and Switzerland, 48 percent of the population rides. The Netherlands has the greatest number of bicycles per capita and the Danish capital, Copenhagen, is considered the most bicycle-friendly city in the world. Since bicyclists are not affected by decisions on crude oil production, they remain unaffected and are generally healthier than those who drive to work. For many years, the world has produced more than 100 million bicycles per year, whereas car production stands at 60 million units. Bicycles are used every day in almost all developed or developing nations. In some places, cycling is the most fast, flexible, and reliable way of commuting in cities. In Europe alone, more than 650,000 people are directly employed in cycling production, services, tourism, and other facets of the industry. This shows that cycling is fast emerging as a solution to global urban transport problems and gaining popularity in many of the developed and developing nations. Just looking at the transport, climate change, and health budgets of many countries, cycling becomes the easiest, reliable, and justified solution to all problems. 

How Countries Incorporated Cycling in Their Daily Transport Models

During the 1950s and 1960s, car ownership skyrocketed in the Netherlands. Subsequently, a rise in the deaths through traffic incidents was recorded. More than 3000 people were killed by motor vehicles in 1971, and 450 out of them were children (BBC, 2013). In response to this, a social movement demanding safer cycling conditions for children was formed. The country was also shaken by the oil crisis of 1973, which persuaded the Dutch government to invest in improved cycling infrastructure. The Dutch built a vast network of cycle paths which were clearly marked, had smooth surfaces, separate signs, and were wide enough to integrate a double cycling lane.. There are even signs proclaiming, “Bike Streets: Cars are Guests,”  prioritising bikers safety over vehicular convenience. Dutch children are immersed in a world of cycling even before they walk. As babies and toddlers, they are carried in special seats, called “bakfiets”, and as they grow up, they are made to travel on their own bikes. As young people are not allowed to drive until they are 18, cycling is promoted in Dutch teenagers as an alternative form of travel freedom. The state also plays a part with cycling proficiency lessons being included in the compulsory school curriculum, and all public spaces have places to park bikes. The fact that everyone cycles means that drivers are more sympathetic to cyclists and cyclists, in turn, respect and obey the rules of the road. 

Copenhagen, a flat seaport city, is Denmark’s capital and during the last decade, the city has embarked on a transition towards becoming ‘city of cyclists.’ As a result of bold policies, provision of infrastructure, and robust cycling campaigns, the number of cycling trips doubled between the 1980s and 2010 (Gossling, 2013). Copenhagen has received attention as a role model among bicycle planners, policymakers, and activists. Sociologists argue that Copenhagen remained so successful because they incorporated a cycling culture. The city used its already built infrastructure to highlight the importance of cycling over cars and this, in turn, generated investment for future cycling infrastructure needs. The Bicycle Path Association was found as early as 1897 and would lobby for separate bike lanes. Later all the roads constructed included a bicycle path. With bicycles increasing, the governance of cyclists took material and cultural form. Cycling lanes now represented interests of different and multiple actors, and support for cycle lanes grew among Danish road engineers and traffic experts. Cycling was cheap, made efficient use of limited space, and was a convenient vehicle for short trips which became the reason for its popularity with the people and the government. 

How Pakistan can Incorporate Cycling in Transport Infrastructure

Problems related to congestion in cities will continue to grow at a faster rate than what investments in roads could match. This calls for urgent attention towards a sustainable solution for future generations of city dwellers. Pakistan can follow a four-step process which includes targeting a segment of the population, identifying and removing barriers towards cycling, implementation of commitment strategies, and sustain the behaviour change. As most young people are not permitted to drive a car until they acquire a driver’s license, cycling can be a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to cars and motorbikes. Pakistan should also inculcate a culture of cycling by promoting it in the school curriculum and raising awareness through public outreach programs and advertisements. Production of bicycles and service centres along bike paths will also generate employment and add to the economy of Pakistan. Civil societies and NGOs can also play an active role in increasing awareness and adopting the practice in the early stages to set a precedence. Lastly, looking at urban traffic congestion, the environment, and health of citizens in Pakistan, the impacts of cycling on all three areas are not only positive but also sustainable. 

Conclusion

Cycling is gaining popularity as a safe and sustainable mode of transport which will not only help reduce urban traffic congestion but also contribute positively towards the environment and health of citizens. The world produces a staggering number of bicycles per year. Lately, bicycles are not only used for in-city travelling; it is also gaining popularity among tourists. Countries around the world are using awareness strategies in an attempt to promote cycling culture. Pakistan has much to learn from these international models and can implement a thriving cycling culture following the same model.

Key Takeaways

1. The worldwide cycling index of 2019 shows an overall increase of six percent in cycling across 39 countries. 
2. More and more countries are adopting the cycling model for sustainable mobility and improvement of their environment.
3. There are already more than two billion bikes in use around the world, and by 2050, that number could be as high as five billion.
4. The Netherlands has the greatest number of bicycles per capita and the Danish capital, Copenhagen, is considered the most bicycle-friendly city in the world. 
5. In Europe alone, more than 650,000 people are directly employed in cycling production, services, tourism, and other facets of the industry. 
6. Looking at the transport, climate change, and health budgets of many countries, cycling becomes the easiest, most reliable, and justified solution to all problems.
7. Pakistan can follow a four-step process which includes targeting a segment of the population, identifying and removing barriers towards cycling, implementation of commitment strategies, and sustain the behaviour change.

Bibliography

BBC. (2013). Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands? Retrieved from BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-23587916

Deloitte. (2020). Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Predictions 2020. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/insights/us/articles/722835_tmt-predictions-2020/DI_TMT-Prediction-2020.pdf

Eco Counter. (2019). 2019 Worldwide Cycling Index. Retrieved from Eco-counter: https://www.eco-compteur.com/en/2019-worldwide-cycling-index/#global

Gossling, S. (2013). Urban transport transitions: Copenhagen, City of Cyclists. Journal of Transport, 196-206.

World Economic Forum. (2015). Why we need to encourage cycling everywhere. Retrieved from World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/02/why-we-need-to-encourage-cycling-everywhere/