NMT Times May 2013

Sunday, 26 May 13

NMT TIMES NMT Times is a monthly

ISSUE VI | VOLUME I | MAY 2013

compilation of news, views, features and articles from India and Asia on NonMotorised Transport (NMT) The newsletter and its detailed articles are available in the walkability asia website which is an initiative of Clean Air Asia.

A Feature on Road Side Markets Chandana is a busy woman juggling between a career and family. Living in a metro city like New Delhi, Chandana finds it difficult to shop during weekends in shopping malls which are overcrowded and for simple household shopping, seemingly over-priced. And driving all the way and finding a parking spot is another irritant. But respite comes to her in the form of markets that is held once a week close to her residential area. “Shopping malls are definitely more systematized, well organized and better in durable goods, but the fun of weekly markets is a different experience. The freshness of the buys and thrill of bargaining are magical. Moreover, easy accessibility and the walkability factor also accounts to the convenience of shopping� adds Chandana.

Students visit the Daryaganj Sunday book market at the start of every semester or academic year. The scene is typically of loads of students looking to buy books at cheaper rates, and some looking to see their old books. Books on science, commerce, medicine, engineering, Hindi, English, French, books and guides on entrance exams like CAT, GRE, GMAT, AIEE, PMT, Prathmik, Madhyama, for all levels draws the students. It is a paradise for bibliophiles, with fiction and nonfiction collections of popular writers and publishing houses, from APJ Abdul Kalam to Thomas Hardy, from Mickey Mouse to James Bond, from Penguin Classics to Rupa Publications. Subjects range from literature, art, history, sports, geography, biographies, health, self help, astronomy and

NMT TIMES Sunday, 26 May 13

magazines on photography, current affairs, technology, competitive exams and much more. People from all walks of life come here to buy clothes, tools, stationery, fruits, flowers, odds and ends for the house. The traffic on the road slows down making it safe, which encourages more shoppers.

This custom of weekly markets exists in other parts of India also. On the suburbs of Bangalore, these weekly markets flourish on a specific weekday for the villagers and farmers to directly sell their produce. On Tuesday evenings, Sarika visits the “mangal” (Tuesday) market, in BG Road for her fresh buys.

To read more, click http://wp.me/p2no2x-yW

Campaign for better Footpaths and Crossings in Hyderabad The Right to Walk Foundation (R2W) has launched a campaign for better footpaths and crossings in Hyderabad. Led by Kanthi Kannan, R2W carried out audits of stretches 1) Between Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Mehdipatnam 2) Junction of Road no.

1 and 12 to Road no. 92, Banjara Hills check post road no. 1 and 10.

While the status report of the civic agencies classify the stretches as ‘in progress’ and ‘completed’ the status on the ground show a different picture altogether. The GHMC has laid out certain technical specifications for footpaths but they are clearly not being followed.

The walkability survey for Road number 1, Banjara Hills revealed that, 1. Many stretches had no footpaths 2. A few stretches that had footpaths that were occupied by parked vehicles 3. Even if footpaths were available, they were of poor quality and in poor hygiene Read More at http://wp.me/p2no2x-xs

NMT TIMES SUNDAY, 26 MAY 13

“The public in general and the women, in particular, who use the footbridge are not at all safe with the advertisement boards put up there and in addition.

All footbridges should have lights through the night,” opined Lokayukta.

To read more click http://wp.me/p2no2x-yC

Foot over bridge a threat to Women’s safety The GHMC has to file the compliance report in Lokayukta after removing the boards by August 22.

Ms Kanthimathi, the president of Right to Walk Foundation, has filed a complaint in Lokayukta regarding the development of footpaths and providing safety measures for road crossing.

Lokayukta opined that by seeing some of the photographs filed by the complainant, even footbridges are not exempted by the GHMC for advertisements, blocking the entire view of the bridge, endangering the safety of people.

Communicating Commuting Hyderabad: Study cycle master plan

advocates

The Comprehensive Transportation Study (CTS) taken up on behalf of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority to suggest solutions for transportation issues has underscored the need to promote bicycling and make the city ‘bicyclefriendly’. Advocating a Bicycle Master Plan, the CTS report called for a wide network of cycle routes and facilities and making bicycle policy an integral part of the planning process.

Read More: http://wp.me/p2no2x-xg

Delhi: HC pulls up civic agencies for neglecting rickshaws The Delhi High Court on Monday pulled up the different agencies involved in the transport management in the Capital over their shifting stand on creation of non-motorised vehicle lanes for plying of cycle-rickshaws on the arterial roads. The bench expressed its displeasure over the exclusion of dedicated lanes for NMT from the proposed plan for running traffic in Chandni Chowk area.

Read more: http://wp.me/p2no2x-xk

NMT TIMES Sunday, 26 May 13

Chandigarh: Dial a rickshaw launched As per 2011 census, out of the total 228276 household in Chandigarh, 59975 households have cars but interestingly 142853 have mobile phones. Real time infrastructure is 3 times compared with private transportation infrastructure. So, if you don’t own a car, you don’t need to worry, our chauffeur driven cycle rickshaw would come to your doorstep. All you need to do is go to website or download android app, select your sector and chose your favorite rickshaw pilot to call at doorstep. This is how you can reduce the traffic burden of private vehicles and help the city to breathe and move safely.

Read More: http://wp.me/p2no2x-yv

Chennai has no space for its rickshaws Every day, Chinnathambi is at Chennai Central Railway Station by 7.30am. The 60-year-old waits patiently near his yellow cycle rickshaw, waiting for passengers. If he is lucky, he may get three or four customers in a day. By 5pm, he usually gives up and makes his way back home. “I have been working for the past 45 years. Earlier, I used to make 300 a day but now I barely make 100,” he says. “People don’t hire us anymore as they prefer to take buses and autos.”

Read More: http://wp.me/p2no2x-yU

Are Indian Cities ready to Implement NMT Projects?

The Ecomobility Readiness Assessment project is a new initiative being undertaken by ICLEI South Asia, Innovative Transport Solutions (iTrans) and the Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation, with the funding support of the Shakti Foundation and institutional support of the Institute of Urban Transport.

What does the assessment aim to do?

This project seeks to review the strengths and gaps of local governments in terms of their policy, capacity, resources and awareness towards non-motorized transport projects, as well as their willingness to implement non-motorized projects in their cities.

Why is this project required?

There are several ambitious large scale developments taking place at the national level to focus on NMT as a key mode in Indian cities, however, these initiatives do not always reflect the ground level realities in Indian city governments To know more about the project, click: http://wp.me/p2no2x-yt As per 2011 census, out of the total 228276 household in Chandigarh, 59975 households have cars Bicycling more interesting modes

NMT TIMES Sunday, 26 May 13

Abroad Bike to work day Plenty of people cycle to their offices every day, and more than a few hard-working D.C. residents made to work from home because their company doesn't provide an office get around town during the day by bike, but today is special.

It's Bike to Work Day, the annual event in which the area's cycling advocates encourage folks to use their bikes for commuting.

More than 14,000 people are signed up to participate in Bike to Work Day, according to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, For more: http://dcist.com/2013/05/today_i s_bike_to_work_day.php

Nepal launches people centric mobility campaign

Singapore MRT improves accessibility

A few projects are underway to improve the transportation system in Kathmandu. The government is widening roads in various areas, including the Ring Road and implementing Kathmandu Sustainable Urban Transportation (KSUT) project with support from ADB. While all these are good initiatives, it is necessary to ensure that these result in a liveable, sustainable and people-friendly city.

Residents at Khatib now have improved accessibility to the public transport network, thanks to a new lift at Khatib Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) pedestrian overhead bridge.

Khatib is the first of five MRT stations to complete the lift installation at existing pedestrian overhead bridges. The remaining four are at Aljunied, Bishan, Kranji, Sengkang and Yew Tee MRT stations.

UN-Habitat is therefore partnering with Clean Energy For More: http://wp.me/p2no2xNepal (CEN) and working xd closely with Government of Nepal and KSUT project to initiate a campaign for PeopleCentric Mobility in Kathmandu.

For More: http://wp.me/p2no2xwB

P E R M A L I N K

Beginning with March, each of the walkability survey parameter will be briefly described PARAMETER 3: AVAILABILITY OF CROSSING POINTS

Availability of crossing points is as essential as good footpaths. Crossing points should be clearly demarcated with sign boards and pavement marking for both motorists and pedestrians; Motorists should be cautioned about the crossing ahead to slow down for pedestrians and also for the pedestrians to locate and cross at the appropriate location. Distance between crossing points is an important criteria as most people do not like to walk for a long distance to access a crossing point and would not mind risking their lives crossing at mid blocks. Most people prefer crossings that are within a distance of 100m.

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