Bicycles to help solve last-mile connectivity problem

Surat: Last-mile connectivity continues to be a problem and thus the traffic cell of Surat Municipal Corporation plans to provide over 10,000 bicycles to commuters travelling in public transport in the city. A person alighting from a public transport can make use of these bicycles to reach his or her destination. If people start to use mass transit system, dependence on private vehicles would automatically reduce, civic officials say.
Manish Doctor, town planning officer of SMC, said, “We plan to set up bicycle centres for last-mile connectivity of people at places of transit and off-road parking spaces. This will enable them to leave vehicles at the parking spaces and reach their homes or workplaces.”

This concept of non-motorized vehicle in the interior lanes is common in developed countries.

People leave their vehicles at parking slots and ride a bicycle up to 2km distance to their destinations. This helps them exercise a bit and also saves on fuel, making the environment that much cleaner.

Professor H. M. Shivanand Swamy, transportation expert, CEPT University, said, “We have no option but to accept the policy wholeheartedly. Urban space is not going to increase but congestion on roads will. Surat has taken a lead in Gujarat. Implementation of parking policy will go a long way in helping public transport system and also improving the overall traffic scenario in the city.”

An officer of SMC said, “We have identified the spots where bicycle stations will come up. People will get this mode of transport at no cost.”