Evaluation and improvement of existing bicycle network of Pune city

Abstract

The National Urban Transport Policy lays stress on; “bringing about a more equitable allocation of road space with people, rather than vehicles, as its main focus and investing in transport systems that encourage greater use of public transport and non-motorized modes instead of personal motor vehicles.” Motorized vehicles are one of the major causes of air pollution in cities. Non-motorized transport is the solution in order to make a city healthy, environment friendly, congestion free and a city for all. Pune Municipal Corporation prepared and accepted bids in 2014 for preparing comprehensive bicycle network plan for Pune and a new bike (bicycle) sharing programme. The study has attempted to analyze the existing bicycle network in Pune city. It would be helpful in preparation of the comprehensive bicycle network plan and future network designs in order to increase the use of cycle tracks and tackle issues such as: • encroachment, • parking on cycle tracks, • material of cycle tracks, • accessibility of the tracks by providing ramps and directness i.e. many punctures, • parking for bicycles and • integration with public transport. The analysis is based on a tool for analyzing ‘level of service’ of cycle network developed by ‘S.G. Architects, Delhi’ called ‘CyLOS’ and Guidelines for bicycle infrastructure developed by ‘TRIPP, IIT Delhi’. Further, the study examines the different ‘level of service’ values derived for different locations of the cycle network of Pune in order to find out the locations which need improvement for cycling convenience. The study further proposes detailed planning interventions which would help in improving the ‘level of service’ of the locations which need improvement. It has also attempted to show through use of ‘CyLOS’ tool, the increase in ‘level of service’, if the proposed interventions are implemented.